Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Danger rides on four wheels in city

Staff Reporter

SPILLOVER: An overloaded four-wheeler zooming along on the outskirts of the city. — Photo: K.R. Deepak

VISAKHAPATNAM: With the city expanding, transportation has assumed great importance. Thousands commute from one part of the city to the other for work.

Several others come for treatment, to visit relatives and a section for shopping and seeing films.

Poor frequency and not finding a foothold were the deterring factors for taking a bus but commuters hardly had any alternative.

The plying of four-wheelers and autorickshaws has changed all that. Now convenience has overtaken all other aspects in such mode of transport.

In the city too, autorickshaws carry more than the stipulated number of passengers and packing children like sardines is a common practice.

Convenience counts

Four-wheelers have been plying to the RTC Complex from Gajuwaka, Bhimili, Madhurawada and other suburbs.

Similarly from the outskirts, they go to these parts. Commuters standing on the footboard is a common sight. From the commuter's point of view, convenience matters.

He can board and alight the auto/four-wheeler wherever he wants.

Since they collect the same fare commuters don't have to pay extra.

But it is the overloading, which causes concern. Ironically, RTC buses with low occupany rate go by the same roads even as commuters expose themselves to risky travel.

The scene in rural areas is worse and more danger-prone. Roads in bad shape confound the problem.

In tribal areas too, the plying of overloaded four-wheelers is leading to accidents.

Quick buck

Some economics is also involved in the plying of four-wheelers.

Those running the vehicles borrow money to buy them. In their anxiety to clear the loan, they try to make a quick buck.

Whenever officials seize those vehicles, hefty fines are levied. Sometimes the vehicles remain unclaimed with Road Transport Authority.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Now, aspiring sportspersons can nurture their dreams in Vizag
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Bill welcomed
Gangavaram port: district officials try to clear bottlenecks
Danger rides on four wheels in city
Fracas over scrutiny of nominations
It's time to seek Lord Ganesha's blessings
Anganwadi workers resent a pay hike that never was
AU for coordination with industry
Rotary events for youth
Don't buy open space: VUDA
Some dos and don'ts for festival
Pensioners seek better deal from power entities
Traffic regulations for puja
Church protests against demolition
Around the City
In Visakhapatnam Today

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu