From Sanjay Borkar in Margao
for Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (MB)
Margao, Nov 22: To coincide with the start of the second term of the academic year, GOACAN held an awareness action at the Navelim Subway junction in collaboration with the Consumer Forums from Navelim, Davorlim, Velim, Cuncolim, Raia and Colva.
The action was part of the ongoing Children's Road Safety & Traffic Management Awareness Fortnight organized by GOACAN from November 14 to 27. Forum Volunteers with placards and flags positioned themselves at the Navelim bus bay and conducted inspections of over 100 buses transporting school children and office-goers. Majority of the buses were found not to be issuing bus tickets, conductors not wearing uniforms, drivers not displaying their badge licenses, overloading of passengers, with folding doors, non-display of fare table & Do's and Don'ts for passengers. Some buses were found not using the bus bay, thereby forcing passengers to use the main road to board the buses.
Drivers and conductors were then alerted by the Forum volunteers about the consequences of violations of the permit conditions under the Motor Vehicle Act 1988 as well as the deficiency in services under the Consumer Protection Act 1986. A detailed report of the various violations will be submitted to the assisant director (enforcement) directorate of transport.
The awareness action highlighted the need for comfortable, affordable and safe public transport for school children, compulsory issue of tickets in all buses, end to harassment to students travelling on 50% bus concession and introduction of complaint books at all bus stands managed and operated by the Kadamba Transport Corporation.
The placards carried slogans highlighting the need for the Goa Government to spend revenue generated from fines of traffic offences on Road Safety Education and strengthening the Traffic Police Cell with necessary and sufficient personnel and equipment such as alcometers, interceptors, night patrolling vehicles etc. Other demands highlighted were sustained campaign against rash and negligent driving, introduction of Road Safety Patrol (RSP) in all schools of Goa and a drive against the distribution and sale of fake helmets in the State.
Meanwhile, as part of the awareness fortnight, Consumer Welfare Clubs will be launched in schools in Saligao, Margao and Nuvem with the theme Road Safety and Traffic Management – a consumer concern. Posters and leaflets prepared by the union ministry of road transport and highways, 'First Lessons in Road Safety', a book for school children published by Goa traffic police, and leaflets on Consumer Rights and Grievance Redressal by the department of civil supplies will be distributed.