Believe it or not! Autorickshaw drivers will now be taught politeness

Traffic near Haji Ali might become slower, but it will become safer. “Following a spate of accidents near the Haji Ali stretch, the Mumbai Traffic Police have got the signal near the Saudamini Building functional again. Senior officers said technicians were hired to work on it recently and it has been repaired. The move, said officers, will ensure that drivers do not speed on the stretch,” reports Indian Express. “Elections to the 196 Municipal Councils in Maharashtra will be held on December 8, the State Election Commission announced today. The election process will commence from November 16 with the opening of nominations till November 22. Scrutiny of papers would be done on November 23 and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is November 29, Satyanarayan said.The model code of conduct comes into immediate affect,” reported DNA. [caption id=“attachment_121158” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption="“Autorickshaw drivers’ union leader Sharad Rao on Tuesday announced that they will observe a Saujanya Saptah ( politeness week) every January. From Wikimedia"]  [/caption] Bad news for Mumbaikars who travelled to or fro Delhi. “Rail traffic on the busy Delhi-Mumbai route was disrupted today after locals near Bharatpur in Rajasthan squatted on tracks protesting the death of two persons at a manned level crossing. “The rail blockade by the locals began at around 11.40 am and since then several trains have been held up mid way. Two Mumbai-bound Rajdhani trains from Delhi are being diverted through other routes”, said a railway official here,” reported ibnlive. Good news for women commuters. “The Government Railway Police (GRP) has started cracking the whip on youths travelling illegally in ladies’ compartments on the Harbour line. Twenty eight such youths were rounded up between Saturday and Monday,” says The Times of India. If trains get safer, the skyline will be more fun to watch. “Having lost the chance to host the first Indian F1 race in Mumbai, the state is now trying to organize a reputable speed sport in the city. The tourism department on Tuesday met organizers of The Red Bull Air Race. The international championship requires pilots to navigate a challenging obstacle course in the fastest time. The race in Mumbai will be held in the next season at Marine Drive, officials said,” says The Times of India. If that sounds unbelievable, this is even less credible. “Autorickshaw drivers’ union leader Sharad Rao on Tuesday announced that they will observe a Saujanya Saptah ( politeness week) every January. This will coincide with the Road Safety Week held by the state government. “We don’t want to limit this to just banners and posters. We will train auto drivers on good behaviour,” he said, says The Times of India. And, finally, a thought for pedestrians. “BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Subodh Kumar today clarified that footpaths are essential for the safety of pedestrians. “Footpaths are absolutely essential for pedestrian’s safety,” a BMC press release said quoting Subodh Kumar. The clarification came in the backdrop of a hue and cry over the civic chief’s reported statement before Adarsh Commission, which is probing into acts of commission and omission pertaining to the 31-storey highrise, yesterday,” reports ibnlive.