The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Traffic regulation initiative a non-starter

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 12, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Traffic regulation initiative a non-starter

By Vikram Sharma

HYDERABAD, JAN. 11. Traffic Commandos, Traffic Marshals, an impressive oath-taking ceremony and financial assistance running into lakhs of rupees. But, months after getting launched amidst much hype by the city traffic police, traffic commandos and marshals are hardly seen.

The novel initiative was in news for a few days, but now there are no takers at all. Students, who have been trained in regulating traffic, are supposed to be in action near their institutions and create traffic awareness and discipline among people.

Not a single traffic commando has been seen for days together after school hours outside St. Ann's High School, Secunderabad, and Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet.

Chaos as usual

Ditto is the case outside All Saint's, Rosary Convent, Stanley and Sujatha schools and colleges in the twin cities. Traffic, as usual, comes to a standstill near these schools even as traffic policemen struggle to ease the congestion.

"Some students have shown interest in the beginning, but later seem to have lost steam. As it is, they are burdened with homework and other activities. In such circumstances, expecting them to stand on the road and regulate traffic is a bit too much. We will start it again if students are willing," says the correspondent of a school in Masab Tank, who does not wish to be quoted.

Are parents game for it? "We would not like our son to stand on the road to regulate traffic under the hot sun. Instead, we would like him to go for some extra curricular activities," say Sandeep Agarwal and his wife, Renuka, residents of Banjara Hills. Their daughter, Sandhya, is a student of a reputed school in Abids.

Students' view

"Not interested," is what a group of four graduation students have to say when asked whether they will participate in the Traffic Marshal scheme. They, however, admit that the concept is good. The Andhra Bank even announced Rs. 10 lakhs financial assistance to implement the scheme.

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