Mailbag

Mail

Traffic jam at Lakhanpur

Sir,

This is with reference to the statement of DC Excise Lakhanpur that appeared in the Daily Excelsior of 16th of October 2K. Traffic jam at Lakhanpur is a very common scene and it was really a painful jam on 14th of October 2000. To blame the Sales Tax Toll post and traffic check post at Madhopur (Punjab) is baseless. On 14th of October 2K, I was travelling from Chandigarh to Srinagar in a truck and it took 6 hours to reach from Madhopur to Lakhanpur Weigh bridge, which is hardly half an hour journey. A number of senior Army Officers were also seen stranded in the jam. Madhopur (Punjab) check post was wearing a desert look due to non movement of vehicles from both the sides and Punjab. Police was a mute spectator to this spectacle. With the interference of Army officers, Punjab Police cops came in action.

As stated by the DC Excise at Lakhanpur that all the weigh bridges were working seems to be incorrect and only one weigh bridge was in working condition. Even Traffic Police of J&K is responsible for this whole situation. Traffic jam at Lakhanpur is only due to JKP cops and Excise Department and they are responsible. It is, therefore requested to DC Excise Lakhanpur to depute police cops at each gate of weigh bridge to maintain law and order and to enforce traffic regulations.

Yours etc...
Vinod Kumar
Transporter
Jammu.

Celebrate festivals in a simple way

Sir,

Rituals and festivals play a very important role in building up and maintaining the social order because these occur in a fixed periodity and also bring people together thus enabling them to identify each other. But, because of the increase in population, hindu rituals like mass bathing and disposal of unburnt bodies and other wastes can cause serious river pollution. The extensive bursting of fire crackers during Diwali is one such ritual which is causing serious pollution and health problems especially with the increase in Urban Wealth and population. Loud crackers can lead to noises which can be harmful for those with asthma and heart problems. The children are the main users of crackers and they are the first to suffer. The Diwali adds in a big way to the air pollution in cities and towns which already are suffering so because of the rapidly growing number of vehicles and industries. I, therefore, request to the religious leaders to say something in this behalf so that these festivals can be celebrated in a simple way.

Yours etc...
B L Balwal
Udhampur.