HSE

How many more deaths we need before a pedestrian over bridge at Kadugodi?

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How many more deaths we need before a pedestrian over bridge at Kadugodi?

Every morning and evening we witness very sad scenes at this major point of Whitefield.
The railway crossing connecting Kadugodi population, the Bus stand and Railway Station is causing lot of difficulties for all.
At any given time there will be a goods train with endless carriages, waiting for signal.
It makes life difficult for all age a difficult process to cross over. It is extremely difficult in the morning as one rush to the bus stand to reach office or school. Children and aged have to squeeze down or walk all the way till the end and then cross over.
At night time, there is absolutely no light making it all the more difficult.
Add to these the perils of no light and human and animal feces.
Last month, a series of deaths happened and authorities, as usual came out with interim measures like police posting, and offer of a pedestrian overbridge soon. But, it all died down, and now we do not see any police and the story of the long train blocking the smooth passage of the population continues once again.
All responsible authorities are aware of this, but they find it interesting to pass the blame from one responsible shoulder to another.
This is a serious safety issue that affects the normal movement general public in and around Kadugodi and Whitefield, irrespective of whether they are rich or poor, old or young, man or women. Thus, I request authorities to kindly stop having a callous approach to this citizen problem.
A senior railway official, who responded, informs that:

·        No provision was available in the old estimate of road over bridge, to construct foot over bridge at the above location. This might be due to the reason that the old estimate for the road over bridge was prepared long ago and at that time, there might not be so much development at Whitefield and so much requirement to cross the tracks so often by such a huge populace.
·        The role of Railways is only to the extent of providing an unhindered path for road vehicles in the interest of closing the level crossing.  Land at the level crossing belongs to railways. Providing a separate path for road vehicles is in fact the requirement of road users.
·        Railways, though not obliged, have agreed to execute the work as well as to share the cost of work with BBMP with the only interest of closing the level crossing to avoid the recurring expenditure of maintenance of level crossing once for all.
·        When there was public demand to construct foot over bridge, as Railways have already constructed road over bridge, it was expected that BBMP would come forward to fund the cost of the foot over bridge.
·        Finally, when BBMP has agreed for the same, Railways have invited tender for the same without any delay and opened the same on 27.12.2012, though the funds have not been deposited by BBMP.  Invitation of tender without availability of funds, which is normally not done, was done in the instant case only in the interest of expeditious completion of the work.
·        The tender, which would otherwise take 2-3 months for finalisation, has been finalised in a record time of 20 days.  This is a record of Indian Railways.
·        You will be happy to note that a joint inspection has been conducted by the undersigned on 17th Jan 2013 and the work of removal of obstructions has already been commenced.  This is also a record of Indian Railways where the work has been taken up on the very next day of award of the tender.
·        Two records have already been established as mentioned above and we look forward to establish a third record by completing the work in a record time.
·        It was reported by security authorities that either one or both of the deceased were talking over mobile phone during the time of the incident on 02nd Jan 2013.  Only God knows the truth.
·        I want you to understand that in the entire episode, there was no apathy, there were no petty egos and there was no inability to act on the part of Railways.  You are a better Judge to know where the delay took place. Please go into facts in detail before blaming any particular authority.
·        Railways have not received the funds for the above work from BBMP till date and we are  continuously chasing for the same.  At the same time, we are taking care to see that the agency does not stop the work, though it cannot get payment of a single rupee till the fund is deposited with Railways. 
·        As a concerned citizen, you may like to do something about this.

And we as citizen who are affected continue with our following plea to BBMP and Railway as below:

·        One helpful proactive action from Railways will be to move the parked goods wagons by 50 metres towards Chennai side of tracks by a suitable arrangement, thereby clearing the obstruction of path at the level crossing.  Wagons parked overnight/long hours hinders the crossing of tracks with view of both sides being blocked for pedestrians. Aged persons/children/women are often found to be crawling beneath the parked wagons to cross to the other sides and others climb over the wagons risking their lives. Also, the wagons parked beyond the crossing necessitates the people to walk on the tracks and there could be oversight/negligence when crossing resulting in loss of previous lives.
·        The two sides where one needs to cross are also not easy as there is hardly any space between the wagons and the bund, particularly for so many people who arrive by buses to move. Also there is gutter water/filth everywhere. There is no lighting too any where resulting in poor vision for any one. Considering the safety of women, which is attracting highest attention of Government, any proactive action to provide lights in the vicinity of crossing will be highly appreciated.
·        A concrete pathway which had existed earlier before the closure of the railway crossing enabled people to cross faster and also safely.
·     A concrete pathway which had existed earlier before the closure of the railway crossing enabled people to cross faster and also safely.

·        Please post security personal till the over-bridge is completed.
·        Lighting in that area.
·        Minor adjustments in parking of the long goods train so that people will get sufficient gap to cross.
·        We understand that many of the above things do not come under the responsibility of railways. However, the public who are forced to cross the tracks do not have any alternative. The narrow road over bridge is very scary especially for a women carrying small kids.
·        Could this be done by Railway authorities as an interim measure besides the above suggestion of moving the wagons a little beyond.

We are also surprised to know following things:

·        There are no specifications for the width of road over bridge.
·        There is no process for correction of old plan based on the present needs. The actual work of this over-bridge happened recently.
·        No pedestrian convenience required to be considered.
·        4. After the construction of this over bridge, seeing the practicality, railway engineers should have avoided digging the road between the tracks for pedestrians.
·        We all appreciate Railways good intention and any sort of help from Railways to minimise the problem, until BBMP acts in the matter.
·        At the same time, we urge BBMP to act without any delay in progressing the work before we hear of another tragedy.
 I also seek support of all resident associations, corporate organizations and their staff  and political parties, irrespective of any difference in ideologies to support in this cry for the need of a safe system to cross over.
Otherwise, for residents of Kadugodi, the way to bus stand is always going to be down and under.
Ramesh Menon
Kadugodi.
21 January 2013

This entry was posted in Community Service, HSE, Kadugodi Whitefield Pedestrian Overbridge, Photo Speaks.

Turning energy efficient

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This entry was posted in Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, HSE, Photo Speaks.

Tunnel speed limit should be uniform

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Tunnel speed limit should be uniform

The new Sheihk Zayed Tunnel in Abu Dhabi looks beautiful and is a state-of-the-art structure that will serve the growth of Abu Dhabi for years to come.
However, when I use it, I am confused by the implementation of several different speed limits along the tunnel.
I am a cautious driver who likes to remain below the displayed speed limit, but I too often find cars speeding up to me, flashing their lights, despite clear signs saying that the limit is 60km/h or 80km/h.
The authorities must find a way to book those drivers who break the limits or there will be many accidents in the tunnel.
I also think they should establish just one speed limit for the entire length of the tunnel, obviating the need for people to speed up or slow down.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi


To read it in original, pleas visit THE NATIONAL online

This entry was posted in HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2013, The National.

Driving on our highways, it is pure luck to reach your destination

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There was no dearth for accidents this time too on the highway leading towards Bangalore. Traffic safety is a matter of concern. However, we drive safe, there is a danger of someone out there, who is driving dangerously and causing danger to all others out there. On the road photo – taken during during recent drive by Rajashree Menon. True, very true, we do not take a driver, because, he may continue using his mobile, however, we tell him not to use.

Therefore, I prefer to drive on my own. However, from the time we start from our home and reach our home in Kerala and then back at Bengaluru, it is sheer, good luck and god’s grace. The driving habit and culture is too bad. God bless, those on our roads, each day and moment.

This entry was posted in Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, HSE, Mind Speaks, Photo Speaks.

Transluminescent signage and directions on Abu Dhabi roads

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It is foggy days once again in UAE. The photo above was taken at about 10:00 am two days ago. You can imagine, how foggy it would have been during the early morning hours. Crying road safety all these years, I have been writing and requesting repeatedly to initiate several road safety measures to safeguard all road users during such difficult driving conditions. One item in the list was to have road directions painted with translumniescent paint so that lights reflects on them and give correct guidance on driving direction to those who drive during such times.
I was happy this morning. It was too foggy and was happy to see Abu Dhabi Municipality contractors painting the roads with translumniescent paint. I wish them sincerely good luck in their effort to control accidents during foggy days due to rash driving added with poor visibility.
One more thing was emphasized to me and my community reporting instinct. However efforts or how much ever time it takes, persistence to communicate and convince on the merits of a good suggestion always see positive results.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
12.12.2012
To read my suggestion, please visit and read my post:
(Please read my report – Coping with fog – Gulf News dated 21.09.2010) . 
Thanks to all those who put their mind and soul to initiate this new safety aspect which will help motorists to find directions easily during extreme fog conditions on our road.

This entry was posted in Community Reports, Community Service, HSE.

Fury of nature

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Reading about the ongoing nature’s calamities happening in the US and in India in the form of Super storm Sandy and Cyclone Nilam, I just recollected and would like to share you my experience of travelling to the southern tip of Dhanushkodi, where Indian Ocean meets the Bay of Bengal. To reach the tip, one has to travel a distance of 22 kms from Rameshwaram, which could be done only using a 4×4 through marshy lands and sand strips close to the sea. The day we travelled was cloudy, and even though it was noon time, it was getting darker and darker with strong winds and waves reaching closer to the trail of our vehicle. The photo in this post is an abandoned fishermen’s point. The confluence of both the oceans became invinsible as it started raining heavily and we were left with no option other than to abandon our stay there, without even coming out of the vehicle for even a few minutes. Although, I had taken exteme caution to protect my camera, it became totally difficult for me as the wind and rain started covering me and my equipment all over, and we felt it is no more safe to be there.
If it was the case on a normal and calm and quite day, imagine, how it would be on a day when the nature is at its full fury. It made me realise one important point. At certain point of time in our life, we just can’t do anything, just watch and undergo the motions as it happens.
I pray for the safety of all those people who live in the path of these two natural calamities at this point of time and those who are currently in the sea for fun or profession to return safely.
Ramesh Menon
31.10.2012

This entry was posted in Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, HSE, PassionatePhotographers, Photo Speaks.

Extra caution needed to handle flammables

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Extra caution needed to handle flammables

Guidelines needed to ensure precautions are taken to protect residents

By Ramesh Menon Gulf News readerPublished:  October 11, 2012

While in the heart of Abu Dhabi, I happened to witness a tanker refilling a building’s storage unit with gas and was shocked at the absolutely careless manner in which the process was handled.

The building was situated in the center of the city, in front of one of the malls in the area, and the truck was stationed in the street, where many vehicles continuously passed by.

There was no sign or barrier around the truck to keep other vehicles at a safe distance.

All but one of the workers were out of uniform and the one person wearing a uniform was not near the control unit of the truck, which was transferring highly flammable gas to the storage unit. Nor was there a single person near the inlet to monitor the transfer process.

I was really shocked to see this being handled as if it were a transfer of drinking water to a building unit.

There are restaurants and coffee shops in the building, and the streets are filled with drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who carry lit cigarettes and which could be thrown in any direction at any time.

Also, rash drivers try to speed on these narrow roads. What if a vehicle were to emanate an electronic spark or if there was an accident while this process was taking place?

I humbly call on the concerned authorities to take caution and urgently issue appropriate guidelines for the refilling of cooking gas at residential units. These are activities that need to be carried out under strict caution and guidelines.

Let us take precaution before an accident happens.

The reader is based in Abu Dhabi. Be a community reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com

To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.

This entry was posted in Community Reports, Gulf News, HSE, Letters to the editor, Mind Speaks, Opinion 2012.

Waste segregation bins at Abu Dhabi Corniche.

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Waste Segregation Bins at Abu Dhabi Corniche

This entry was posted in Daily Passionate Photography Thoughts, HSE, PassionatePhotographers, Photo Speaks.

Foggy days are here again – Abu Dhabi 10th October 2012

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Foggy days are here again………
Wednesday, 10.10.2012.
Drive safely and reach office. Be patient and do not speed if your view is not clear.

This entry was posted in Abu Dhabi - Today in UAE, HSE, Photo Speaks.

Jaywalking

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Jaywalking

Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi / 8 October 2012

Abu Dhabi Mall is at the centre of the city and there is always heavy traffic movement. Although there exists a pedestrian over bridge, some people still prefer to cross the road, without using it. At times, they do it even if they see oncoming vehicles. More alarmingly, people continue to talk on phone while crossing the road.
Abu Dhabi authorities used to have staff on both sides fining those who violate and jaywalk at this particular point. But, I believe, after the long summer and Eid holidays, all have forgotten this golden rule of not to cross the road at any point they wish, and seems like authorities have also forgotten about this prominent point.

May I kindly request Abu Dhabi traffic authorities to restart the campaign against jaywalking at busy traffic points. I also believe more education is required to update those who are new and also tend to forget. It should be followed up with appropriate fines so that they do not endanger their lives.

To read it in original, please visit Khaleej Times online.

This entry was posted in HSE, Khaleej Times, Letters to the editor, Opinion 2012.