'Speed governors will hit tourism'

The Centre's direction to fix speed governors for non-transport vehicles, including taxis operated by travel agents, will hit tourism in Mysore, as elsewhere, says Mysore Travel Agents Association (MTAA).

"A large number of tourist places in and around Mysore, like Chamundi Hills, B R Hills, M M Hills and Ooty, are located on hilly or ghat tracts. At the governed speed of 40 km, the tourist vehicles will not be able to visit these places all," says MTAA Secretary A C Ravi.

"Presently, tourist vehicles operate at speeds of 60-80 km per hour and cover a number of places. Once the speed governors are fixed, a tourist will have to spend more time on travel and see fewer places," MTAA President B S Prashant says.

According to MTAA's former president Jayakumar, the drivers engaged by travel agents are professional drivers. They cause fewer accidents unlike private vehicle owners or drivers. Around 80 per cent of the accidents are accounted for by private vehicles, while hardly 20 per cent by the vehicles operated by travel agents.

"Under the circumstances, what is required is the strict enforcement of driving regulations and training for private vehicle operators and owners," he said adding that according to police statistics only tourist vehicles were involved in only two fatal accidents in Mysore sometime back.

Besides, tourists, taxies are engaged in emergent situations. Speed governors will curtail speed limits of such vehicles also, though ambulances are exempt from the enforcement rule.

Apart from wastage of time and money, it will also result in additional wear and tear of the vehicle. "When fuel conservation has become imperative, here is a case where more fuel will be lost," says Ravi.

"This is nothing but another helmet story, meant to harass people. Before bringing in such legislations, a serious thought should have been given to its repercussions across the country," adds Jayakumar.

About 4,000 tourist vehicles operate in Mysore and the city has nearly 120 travel agents, both registered and unregistered.

They have decided to stage a demonstration before the office of the Regional Transport Office, here on Monday, and hand over a memorandum to the RTO, deputy commissioner, Mysore MP C H Vijayashankar, and the Governor demanding withdrawal of the speed governor regulation.

They have also decided to support the all India call for strike by truck and maxi-cab vehicle operators on January 20.