From trainees to traffic teachers

Techies plan to decongest outer ring road by imparting lessons they learnt from traffic police to area residents

Techies plan to decongest outer ring road by imparting lessons they learnt from traffic police to area residents

Techies championing the 'safe wheels' initiative in outer ring road are now all set to take their newly-learnt traffic lessons to residents of the area. The group of techies, who call themselves ORRCA (outer ring road companies association) had learnt traffic lessons from the BMTC and the traffic police for the last one year as part of their drive to decongest IT corridors. When the group met on Tuesday, the members decided to organize a traffic marathon for spreading their message to other Bangaloreans.

ENOUGH! A typical traffic jam on the roads of Bangalore

Lessons learnt

Techies have undergone training on issues such as traffic discipline, safety and security tips on road, decongesting measures and effective use of public services. They will now impart these lessons to the residents of outer ring road. "It's part of traffic solutions we are drawing to decongest our corridors," said S Vishwanath, manager, AOL and general secretary, ORRCA. "We have decided to rope in people and impart traffic lessons. Our past initiatives were about creating awareness largely among software professionals and staff of IT companies commuting in the stretch, but now we aim to rope in others too. Now techies will teach residents on contributing to a safe and secure Bangalore."

Unique project

After getting in touch with resident associations in the area, ORRCA decided to begin the 'traffic marathon' on February 1, 2010, and continue it on every long weekend for the next one year. The idea has done down well with the residents. "This will be a unique experience," said Rakesh M, a resident of Marathalli, adjacent to Sarjapur ORR where the initiative will take place. "It's a good thing that techies are coming forward to set things right on our roads."

About ORRCA

ORRCA or the Outer Ring Road Companies Association is a group of software companies who have offices in the outer ring road. Members include CISCO, Capgemini, ABM, Microland and AOL. Employees of these companies began an initiative called 'Safe Wheels' in an attempt to decongest the outer ring road. One of the methods they adopted to do this was to give up private vehicles for public transport.