There has been an alarming increase in fatal road accidents in the state of Punjab, which have grown by more than 11% post 2005 when the state government opened doors for road projects on a build-own-transfer (BOT) basis, says a recent study conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Ann Arbor, USA. Co-authored by Dinesh Mohan, Omer Tsimhoni, Michael Sivak and Michael J Flannagan, the study says, ?while signing agreements for 600 km of road length (primarily these roads are lifeline for Punjab) to operate on BOT basis, not much thought were given on road safety.?
In effect, the study tries to establish a connection between opening up of the road projects in the region to public-private-partnership and easy access to alcohol to fatal road accidents.
The startling research studies the scenario of road accidents from year 2001 to date. It finds that there was a decline in road fatalities during 2001-03. The situation changed drastically in 2004 when Punjab witnessed phenomenal increase in land prices, especially in areas around the Chandigarh, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar and Patiala belt. It resulted in a 29.80% vehicle growth in the state.
The money people made after selling land was spent on buying more personal vehicles. It is important to note here that during this time, the cost of alcohol in Punjab was very high compared to neighbouring states. ?High fatality rates were observed near border areas of Punjab adjoining Haryana and Chandigarh due to easy access and the high difference in alcohol cost,? says the study.
In 2005, the government opened doors to private partnership in the road sector. The average speed on the state roads increased, but there wasn?t much emphasis on measures to avoid accidents. This was also the time when the government launched an easy excise policy. The cost of liquor came down drastically. Together they contributed to more road fatalities.
The study says that if the present policies and trends continue, road fatalities are not likely to reduce before 2030, by which time, the toll may rise to 2,60,000 across the country.
The study goes on to add that the year 2008 provided a slight respite from the previous year with a marginal reduction in the fatality rate.
Interestingly, the research says that a 10% increase in fuel prices will lead to a 2.3% fall in road accidents.