Easy riders

In a traffic-choked city, which consistently leads other metros in the number of fatalities in road mishaps, the news that obtaining a driving license will now be even easier than before, does not exactly come as a relief to the inhabitants

Easy riders

In a bid to make the experience lessu00a0harrowing, the authorities have now allowed applicants to apply for a driving license at any of the 13 road transport offices (RTOs) in the capital, besides starting an online registration system and keeping the RTOs open even on weekends. The idea, of course, is to reduce the long wait in queues for applicants.

While the move appears promising, many feel that Transport Minister Arvinder Singh has not addressed the real issue of issuing licences: checking those who, in cahoots with RTO officials, take "short-cuts" to obtain the precious document. The result is of course ill-trained drivers let loose on the capital's roads to create the mayhem.

Seeing red
The VIP culture is a uniquely Indian phenomenon and, not unexpectedly, finds its fullest expression in Dilli, where actual VIPs are probably outnumbered by pretenders. Since appearances count a lot, there are many who love to flaunt the trappings of power, whether deserved or not. For many self-proclaimed VIPs the red beacon-fitted car seems to exert a powerful attraction.

Delhi Police has recently launched a drive against illegal use of red beacons, apparently with suitable sanction from above. The very first day the traffic cops booked 15 offenders, including a member of Parliament, two MLAs and several zila and block presidents!

Unfortunately, since then we haven't heard of further progress in the crackdown or even whether the cops have wound it up after

making their point. Though the law may be on their side, even the cops realise that wanna-be VIPs and their fake trappings are not easily parted.

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