Karnataka - Bangalore   

Walkers show the way for safe driving

Bangalore: So bad is the traffic near Sankey Tank between 8.30 a.m. and 10.30.a.m., that it forced the Sankey Park Walkers’ Association to start the “Good Bye Traffic Jam, Bangalore” programme at Malleswaram playgrounds on Sunday.

The Association, in collaboration with the Bangalore Traffic Police, and several non-governmental organisations, has arranged for the free distribution of one lakh stickers. The stickers — with messages in English and Kannada — contained a pledge to better the traffic conditions in Bangalore. The slogans were simple: “I pledge to follow traffic rules sincerely” and “Nanu Sanchari Niyamake Baddaniddene”. They plan on reaching out to 20 lakh vehicle owners in the city. Vigorous work in this regard has already begun. The association will also ensure that the stickers are pasted on to 60,000 Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses and 20,000 Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses. Autorickshaw unions are also part of their programme. “As many as 90 per cent of the traffic can be controlled easily if buses and autorickshaw drivers pledge to drive their vehicles in a safe manner and abide by the rules,” Ranganath, general secretary of the Sankey Park Walkers’ Association said.

But, Sankey Park Walkers do not plan on stopping at this or finishing any time soon. “This is just the beginning,” they announce proudly. “We plan on taking this programme to other areas as well. After covering Malleswaram, we will move on to other areas such as Shivajinagar. Those interested in taking a step towards a safer Bangalore should definitely participate by getting the free stickers and faithfully maintaining the pledge,” concluded Mr. Ranganath. For private vehicles, free stickers will soon be available at petrol bunks, police stations and with the traffic police.

Gopal B. Hosur, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) and Praveen Sood, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic and Security) distributed the stickers on the occasion. The stickers were sponsored by the State Bank of India (SBI) and Sudarshan Netralaya. Also present at the event was R. Karthikeyan, Deputy General Manager of the SBI.

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