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1,073 lost on death roads
Dehradun, January 13 for 2008 are startling - 1073 persons lost their lives in road accidents as per the latest data compiled by the state police. Statistics reveal that as many as 869 persons lost their lives in road accidents in 2005, while 1,842 were injured. In 2006, the number increased to 975, while 1,910 persons sustained injuries. The death toll was 991 in 2007, while 1,988 persons were injured. But maximum causalities were reported last year with 1,073 persons losing their life in a total of 1,417 road accidents. The maximum deaths were reported from Haridwar (239), followed by Udham Singh Nagar (223). In the hill districts of Uttarakhand, maximum causalities were from Tehri (88). While the majority of deaths were due to accidents involving collision between two vehicles, there were several instances of vehicles falling into rivers, gorges and ditches. According to the data of disaster management and mitigation department, as many as 216 such incidents took place in 2008, in which 543 persons lost their lives while 1,164 were injured. The increasing accident rate can not only be attributed to rash driving, overloading, drunken driving and poor condition of roads in the state, but also to the casual attitude of authorities in implementing provisions of The Motor Vehicle Act. Lack of repairs of the old state transport buses is another contributing factor. Officials of the transport department maintain that acute shortage of manpower is a big hindrance in this regard. “Out of the total strength of 816 employees, the transport department has only half of the staff. We are trying to recruit new persons,” said transport minister Banshi Dhar Bhagat. On the other hand, IG (Law and Order) MA Ganapathy said shortage of public transport means in hill areas is one of the main reasons behind the accidents. “People travel in jeeps, quails etc, which are more susceptible as far as accidents are concerned. Minimal error on part of drivers lead to major accidents,” he said. Around 80 per cent accidents occur due to rash driving and overloading, he added. “Public awareness is required to deal with the problem,” he opined, while adding that the state police is carrying out challan drives to ensure that vehicles plying on roads are complying with traffic rules. The transport minister confirmed the same. “Special drives are undertaken to check the safety of buses. Besides, challans are issued for rash and negligent driving,” he said. A few weeks ago, even the Chief Minister Maj. Gen. BC Khanduri (retd) had expressed regret over the inability of his government to control the rising incidence of road accidents and assured steps to check the same.
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Sardar-e-Jung battles for his life Dehradun, January 13 Col Pritam Singh met Bose in Burma in 1943 and volunteered for the INA. He was made Colonel and remained active in the Burma and Malaya operations. Impressed with his bravery, Bose awarded him the title of Sardar-e-Jung. Col Pritam remained in jail and was released after Independence. Later, he was taken as Captain in the Indian Army. After retirement, Col Pritam settled in Khaira village, Doiwala, Dehradun. He was running the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Academy. His son, Roopinder Singh, is a farmer. Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress Committee media in charge Suryakant Dhasmana visited the ailing hero in hospital today.“It is unfortunate that none from the state government is bothered about Col Pritam,” he said. Dhasmana has shot off a letter to the Chief Minister in this regard. A copy of the letter was released to the media. It reads: “The condition of Col Pritam is very critical. Till date, Rs 1.5 lakh have been incurred on his treatment. Col Pritam’s son is a farmer and spending so much on the treatment is extremely difficult for the family.” The letter also mentions: “During interaction with Col Pritam’s family, it appeared that they are unhappy over the negligent attitude of the state government.” Dhasmana has urged the government to bear all expenses incurred on Col Pritam’s treatment. “ It is the duty of the state government to accord proper treatment to soldiers who fought for the country,” the letter says. A few days back Agriculture Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat visited the Himalayan Institute Hospital. When told that Col Pritam was admitted in the hospital, the minister merely enquired about his health and left.
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Eco-tax sparks debate Mussoorie, January 13 While questioning such double standards of the hoteliers, Kedar Singh Chauhan, member of Nagar Palika said, “There is no fixed tariff for hotel rooms. An ordinary room, which costs Rs 400 in winters, the hoteliers charge around Rs 4000 for the same room in summers.” Kedar Singh said overpriced hotel rooms are the biggest burden on the tourists with limited budget. “In that case, the claims of MHA that the eco-tax will lead to additional financial burden on tourists is not justified,” Kedar Singh said. Questions are also being asked regarding the entry fee to Bhatta falls, a popular tourist destination here, which is being run by the MHA. “MHA is charging around Rs 30 as entry fee at Bhatta falls but are opposing a sum of Rs 25 being charged from the tourists for the cleanliness of Mussoorie,” said another Palika member on the condition of anonymity. The local citizens have also started reacting on the issue now. Public believes that the hoteliers are bringing a bad name to the city by exploiting tourists during peak season. “But the MHA has failed to frame any clear policy for regulating the tariff for hotel rooms,” said Ajay, a local resident. There are around 300 big and small hotels in Mussoorie in addition to numerous guest houses and lodges. And during the peak seasons, the hoteliers, especially with small hotels, guest houses and lodges, charge excessive room rents while giving minimal facilities to the tourists. On the issue of eco-tax, Dinesh Badoni, another member of Nagar Palika, is of the opines that no concerned citizen of Mussoorie should oppose eco-tax. “The proceeds from the tax will be used for cleanliness of the town including the collection and re-cycling of non bio-degradable waste, cleaning of springs, nallahs and for the overall beautification of the town.” Badoni also said the local citizens, roadways buses and supply vehicles are proposed to be exempted from this tax. “In this manner no additional burden would be imposed on any citizen of Mussoorie,” he said. Meanwhile, sections of the public is also concerned about certain logistic problems resulting from the imposition of the eco-tax. “Frequent traffic-jams at collection points and identifying and exempting local vehicles from this tax is going to be a major problem for the locals as well as for the Nagar Palika,” said Shalabh Garg, a local businessman.
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Junk trouble for residents Dehradun, January 13 In the G-block of the locality, rag pickers can be spotted crushing liquor bottles for recycling and residents allege that this has spoilt the surroundings. In addition, they fear that their security is being compromised as the credentials of many rag-pickers are unknown. Residents said despite their complaints to the Dehradun Municipal Corporation nothing has been done so far. “We have young daughters at home and before leaving them alone we have to think twice. During summers, the foul smell of liquor makes it worse. Moreover, as a major part of the road is covered by trucks, parking vehicles has become difficult for us,” said a housewife. On the other hand, area municipal councillor Ganesh Dangwal said he was not aware of the problem. “Nobody has come to me with this problem. If someone approaches me, I will take action,” he said.
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To save jumbos, states to replicate Rajaji model
As many as 110 elephants have been reportedly killed in railway accidents all over India since 1987. Ninety per cent of these deaths have taken place in the states of Uttarakhand, Assam, Jharkhand and West Bengal. A project undertaken jointly by the state of Uttatakhand and the Wild Life Trust has proved a resounding success in averting elephant deaths at the Rajaji National Park. The project is being replicated in Assam and Jharkhand and West Bengal have also sought the trust’s services for the same. Assam, that has seen most of the elephant deaths, has already entrusted the trust with the task of putting a check on the deaths of pachyderms. Implementation of the Rajaji model in Jharkhand and West Bengal is in the offing. Dr AK Singh, who heads the Uttarakhand unit of the trust, said: "Since 2002, we have ensured zero deaths of elephants along the rail track passing through the Rajaji National Park through our mitigation project. The strategy will now be implemented in Assam, West Bengal and Jharkhand." The 18-km strtech of the rail track passing through the protected area of Rajaji park has seen numerous elephant deaths. Trust volunteers have been patrolling the track for the past many years and this has yielded results.
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Haridwar spruced up for Makar Sankranti Haridwar, January 13 Lakhs of devouts are expected to throng the ghats at the Ganga to take a holy dip on Makar Sankranti which falls on January 14. Seeing the piles of garbage lying near the roads, the DM ordered the municipal committee officers to immediately get the area cleaned. He also warned the Ganga Pollution Control Unit officers against laxity in removing garbage regularly in the Har-ki-Pauri area. Citing traffic jams as the major problem during festivals, Shailesh Bagoli urged the people to cooperate. He urged everybody, especially outsiders, to park their vehicles in the allotted parking areas only as one wrong parking could lead to traffic chaos. SSP Sanjay Gunjiyal directed the police personnel to not only maintain law and order but also help tourists. Women cops would be deployed on the ghats where women take a dip, the SSP said. Gunjiyal ordered the officers to ensure that by the evening, all encroachments by the shopkeepers was removed. Heavy vehicles will be stopped from entering the mela zone and will ply only after 11 pm. The SSP said that the bomb disposal squad and sniffer squads are already carrying out searches to find any explosive in the area. The mela area has been bifurcated in zones and sectors for smooth functioning of Makar Sankranti.
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Booting for style
Few years back, the market had a very limited stock to offer and nothing was available in fancy colours. But now, the things are different and a large range of designs are available. Bata, the brand better known for it’s durability has also got the latest designs for every occasions. These days silver, copper and golden are the hot favourite amongst college students as well as working women, whereas young men are opting for pointed shoes,” said Sumit Chandna, executive manager, Bata. Ankled and knee length boots are also the in thing these winters. “As boots are durable, majority of women in the city prefer them. Being chic and stylish they can be easily worn with capris and woolen skirts, whereas formal bellies are all the time favourite,” said Devendra Thapliyal, manager, VI-GA. “In winters, dark shades are preferred. For those who want to be stylish and to stay comfortable at the same time, flat bellies or ballerinas are must buy for them,” said Manya, salesgirl, Impulse Store. However, the market also has a variety for people who believe in high-end brands. Woodland, Benetton and Hush Puppies have lot to offer for both men and women. Hush Puppies, a product of Bata, are preferred by men who want quality with comfort and Benetton has come up with the latest designs. “Starting from Rs 2500 to Rs 5000, men can get lot of variety in shades like black, khaki and browns with or without laces. Whereas women can get anything ranging between Rs 1000 to Rs 3000,” said Saurabh Srivastava, store manager, Woodland. Interestingly prominent markets like Paltan Bazaar and Indira Market also have a variety for the commoners. “Trendy and the imported variety in shoes at reasonable prices are the hot favourite amongst youngsters. At present with ballerinas,
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Dehradun, January 13
Dehradun, January 13