Road rage in Kerala
Published December 15, 2009 | 
Road rage was something unheard of in this small city of Cochin till recently. If you thought that it can happen only in bustling metros and in western countries, you would be in for a surprise. People on the road are getting increasingly violent and impatient in their race against the ticking clock. The so called Road rage motto that says ‘anyone going faster than you is a maniac; anyone going slower than you is an idiot’ seems to work on our city roads as well! People indulging in fist fights and verbal duals have become a common sight on the city roads and in many cases, the traffic police on duty prefers to turn a blind eye to the whole incident, resulting in the hold up of vehicles including those on emergency services like the ambulance and the fire engines!
Bad roads and traffic congestion drives up the adrenalin and tension of those behind the wheels. The over speeding buses and the teenage bikers, who almost always have a penchant to ride on the wrong side and the pedestrians who remain blissfully oblivious of the happenings around add up to the driving woes. Stray cattle heads, overloaded heavy vehicles and unruly kids who run helter skelter during the morning peak hours make driving a nightmare in Kerala even for the well experienced drivers. The current festival season of Christmas, New Year and Sabarimala pilgrimage season have made matters worse.
Road rage can be prevented by creating awareness about traffic rules and regulations and ensuring better road facilities. To make up for those traffic snarls and hold ups on the way, the vehicle owners could set out for work a bit early instead of venting their frustration on the fellow drivers on the road. As they say it is better to be late than never; so do not risk your life and limb by indulging in rash driving and road rage.
Nano – good things come in small packs
Published January 11, 2008 | 
Kochi: January 11, 2008
Kochi, which boasts one of the highest car densities in India with a staggering ten times the national average has welcomed the latest head turning model, Nano from Tata Motors with zest and zeal. Though it might sound paradoxical, Kochites always have had a fetish for the latest cars inspite of the fact that this city lacks quality roads.
As soon as any new model hits the road, car crazy folks are all out to grab the piping hot addition. The fast paced urbanization and a buoyant economy has notched up the purchasing capacity of the consumers to unimaginable levels. Nano, touted as the common man’s car of is the world’s least expensive four-wheel passenger vehicle ever made.
Tata has promoted this car as a better and safer option in place of two wheelers. The four-passenger Nano will be highly popular among the middle class Indian families who use two wheelers as a family transportation often carrying the entire family and baggage through pot holed roads and crowded streets in rain and shine.
According to Tata sources, the 623 cc car powered with a 33bhp petrol engine will have a mileage of 20 km per litre and complies with the Euro 3 emission standards making it eco friendly. Though it might throw the choked traffic lines into more disarray and might add to the carbon emissions, the silver lining is that it allows the middle class people to enjoy the luxury of a four wheeler for the first time in their life!
Kochites are anxiously waiting for the booking to open and going by the trend of this city, you are sure to see the stunning car of Nano reining the Kochi roads in the days ahead. However, skeptical views that these cars would worsen the traffic chaos of this congested city are already buzzing in the air.