[Attachment(s) from Jagdeep DESAI included below]
Shibu Thomas TNN
Mumbai: The BEST's safety record has taken a nosedive. Over the last five years, the number of traffic offences involving buses belonging to the undertaking has shot up well over seven times — from 356 in 2005 to 2,551 in 2009.
In the last one year alone, six persons have died and over 21 injured after being run over by BEST buses.
The BEST's dubious record was submitted to the Bombay High Court last week by the traffic police in response to a public interest litigation about road discipline. A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla have
now asked the police to furnish a detailed list of the traffic offences committed by BEST buses.
A look at the statistics reveals that the most common offence committed by BEST drivers is jumping signals. BEST inspectors monitor all bus drivers, says undertaking's PRO
In 2005, of the 356 cases, 307 were of jumping signals and the undertaking paid Rs 22,000 as fine. The next year, the cases dipped marginally to 271, of which 227 were for jumping signal. The number thereafter has steadily climbed in the subsequent years — in 2007, the figures stood at 643 and 224, respectively, and in 2008, 1,187 and 612. Last year, BEST buses were hauled up for 2,551 traffic violations. Of them, 1,621 were cases of jumping signal, 67 cases of rash driving and speeding and 22 cases of lane cutting. The undertaking paid Rs 1.8 lakh in fines.
Advocate Armin Wanderwala, who has filed a petition seeking implementation of road safety rules, told the court that BEST buses are frequent offenders. "They jump signals, cut lanes and ignore the safety of pedestrians crossing the road," said Wanderwala.
Andheri-Lokhandwala resident Nitesh Kumar agrees. "Instead of stopping for pedestrians to cross, BEST buses come hurtling down to take free left turns," said Kumar. "Rarely would one find buses stopping near the bus stop at designated spots. Many drivers hardly bother to check if passengers are getting in or getting down before driving off," he added.
When contacted, BEST PRO N A Walavalkar said that the undertaking gives priority to safety. "Departmental inquiries are initiated against drivers caught speeding. The BEST traffic officers and inspectors regularly monitor bus stops and traffic signals to ensure that drivers follow traffic rules," said Walavalkar, adding that their drivers are trained at their training centre.
Questioned about the growing number of BEST buses involved in traffic violations, Walavalkar lamely explained: "Over the last few years, the number of BEST buses has gone up to 5,000. There has been a proportional increase in the number of drivers."
2010 DEC 07
The Public Information Officer
The Public Relations Officer
BEST
Dear sirs,
The following information may be kindly be provided at the earliest after this report was published in The Times of India, 2010 DEC 06
Thanqx.
Jagdeep DESAI
Secretary
Founder Trustee
Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs
>>>
BEST drivers at their worst, offences up 7 times in 5 yrs
Shibu Thomas TNN
Mumbai: The BEST's safety record has taken a nosedive. Over the last five years, the number of traffic offences involving buses belonging to the undertaking has shot up well over seven times — from 356 in 2005 to 2,551 in 2009.
In the last one year alone, six persons have died and over 21 injured after being run over by BEST buses.
The BEST's dubious record was submitted to the Bombay High Court last week by the traffic police in response to a public interest litigation about road discipline. A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Shahrukh Kathawalla have
now asked the police to furnish a detailed list of the traffic offences committed by BEST buses.
A look at the statistics reveals that the most common offence committed by BEST drivers is jumping signals. BEST inspectors monitor all bus drivers, says undertaking's PRO
In 2005, of the 356 cases, 307 were of jumping signals and the undertaking paid Rs 22,000 as fine. The next year, the cases dipped marginally to 271, of which 227 were for jumping signal. The number thereafter has steadily climbed in the subsequent years — in 2007, the figures stood at 643 and 224, respectively, and in 2008, 1,187 and 612. Last year, BEST buses were hauled up for 2,551 traffic violations. Of them, 1,621 were cases of jumping signal, 67 cases of rash driving and speeding and 22 cases of lane cutting. The undertaking paid Rs 1.8 lakh in fines.
Advocate Armin Wanderwala, who has filed a petition seeking implementation of road safety rules, told the court that BEST buses are frequent offenders. "They jump signals, cut lanes and ignore the safety of pedestrians crossing the road," said Wanderwala.
Andheri-Lokhandwala resident Nitesh Kumar agrees. "Instead of stopping for pedestrians to cross, BEST buses come hurtling down to take free left turns," said Kumar. "Rarely would one find buses stopping near the bus stop at designated spots. Many drivers hardly bother to check if passengers are getting in or getting down before driving off," he added.
When contacted, BEST PRO N A Walavalkar said that the undertaking gives priority to safety. "Departmental inquiries are initiated against drivers caught speeding. The BEST traffic officers and inspectors regularly monitor bus stops and traffic signals to ensure that drivers follow traffic rules," said Walavalkar, adding that their drivers are trained at their training centre.
Questioned about the growing number of BEST buses involved in traffic violations, Walavalkar lamely explained: "Over the last few years, the number of BEST buses has gone up to 5,000. There has been a proportional increase in the number of drivers."
>>>
APPLICATION FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION UNDER
THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, 2005
The Public Information Officer
BRIHAN MUMBAI ELECTRIC SUPPLY AND TRANSPORT, BEST
BEST Parivahan Bhavan
Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg
Colaba
Mumbai 400 001
Particulars of information required
i] Subject matter of information
a] The objective, aims and other factors in setting up the BEST Traffic Manual, and the operating system as on
With particular reference to Sections 63, 68, 74, 85, 106, 107, 112, 113, inclusive, but not exhaustive
ii] The period to which the information relates
Current and valid upto date
iii] Description of the information required
a] Is the BEST Traffic Manual, BTM, under reference current and valid, mandatory, binding, and obligatory for all BEST employees and contract, daily wage , and any other workers appointed by BEST, and is any category of BEST staff exempt
b] When was the BTM, under reference, last updated, under which officer BEST's supervision, and and by which officer of BEST
c] What is the provision in the BTM, for taking any punitive action against those BEST employees, staff, who do not follow the BEST Traffic Manual
d] Is there any plan to change and replace certain derogatory terms contained within the BTM, such as, 'scavenger', and 'widow', with acceptable ones like 'housekeeper', and 'economically weaker sections', etc.
e] Who is responsible for the inclusion of these terms, and in case these were done departmentally, which officer of BEST has permitted these type of terms continuing to be used in the BTM, and when will these terms be removed from the BTM, and other such text
f] What are the provisions being implemented to ascertain the BEST Inspectors, BEST Assistant Traffic Officers, BEST Drivers, BEST Conductors, and all those employees and staff as set out in the various Sections of the BTM, under reference, are carrying out the specific duties, responsibilities, directions, guidelines, norms, instructions, etc., as set out in the said BTM, etc.
g] What are the punitive provisions for those employees who do not follow the BTM
h] How many BEST employees, inspectors, officers, supervisors, drivers, conductors, have been so punished, or dismissed from BEST, if at all, with details thereof
i] What are the conditions, and criteria to locate and set up BEST bus stops, BEST bus shelters, at various locations in Mumbai
j] What are the different types of BEST bust stops, and BEST bus shelters
j] The up to date position of BEST bus stops, and shelters that have been planned, built, and being built, or contracted to be built, as the case may be, in Mumbai and Brihan Mumbai, including in relation with the Mumbai Metro, and Monorail, with exact numbers, locations, and photographs of present situation at the said locations, with each BEST bus route, whether on the road, on the foot path, on flyovers, road over bridge over railway lines, whether any trees, lamp posts, electricity, telephone junction boxes, unauthorised stalls, vendors, unathorised parking, illegal structures, encroachments, etc., are in any way obstructing waiting passengers or buses, etc., and what is the latest audit report of such BEST bus stops and BEST bus shelters, and which do not conform to the standards, and minimum requirements for BEST bus passengers, and what is BEST doing to keep BEST bus stops and BEST bus shelters clear from autos and taxis waiting for CNG filling at nearby CNG station during day and night
k] Details of specifications, plans, elevatons, sections, and dimensions of such BEST bus stops, and BEST bus shelters as planned and as existing
l] Total numbers of BEST buses in the fleet, in operation, and in reserve, with detailed breakup of each, in terms of engine type, ordinary or air conditioned, carrying capacity, cost of procurement, maintenance, fuel consumption, average revenue per passenger per type of bus, revenue versus fuel consumption per type of bus, revenue per BEST employee, etc.
m] The total numbers and location details of each and every BEST depot, terminal, yard, parking garages, mechanical workshop, office buildings, residential quarters, and other real estate assets owned by BEST, in terms of square metres, and market value of each, individually as on 2010 DEC
n] Which such real estate assets of BEST have been sold, leased, or in any other way disposed off, along with details of location of the said assets in Mumbai, area in square metres, original purchase price, price received for the lease or sale, what is being done with the money so received as on 2010 DEC
o] What are the future plans and policies of BEST in terms of introducing BRTS, mini buses, micro buses, limousine service for executives, point to point services, utilistation of flyovers on Western Express Highway, Eastern Express Highway, and inter city services, within Mumbai Metropolitan Region, especially in relation to Mumbai Metro, Mumbai Monorail
iv] Whether information is required by post or in person
By email in English within the prescribed time period
Whether the applicant is below the poverty line
Not applicable
Place : Mumbai
Date : 2010 DEC 10
>>>
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Attachment(s) from Jagdeep DESAI
1 of 1 File(s)
MARKETPLACE
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