Consumer Guild, Lucknow ,Uttar Pradesh with support from Consumer VOICE, Delhi, organised a peace walk which originated from Swasthya Bhawan crossing and ended at Shaheed Smarak to mark the World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims and demanded safer roads for all.

More than 200 people participated in the peace walk, including NGOs, lawyers, students, doctors, Nursing Association, bankers, corporate sector representative, Ex-Army Welfare Federation. Peace walk started from Swasthya Bhawan Chauraha and passed on Civil Court, Uttar Pradesh State Transport Corporation Head office, Transport Commissioner office and ended at Shaeed Smarak  .

This year’s slogan of World Day of Remembrance is “Roads have stories — Voice of victims” which was prominently displayed on banners and placards. The walkathon ended with a two-minute silence in the memory of road accident victims. Many Victims /Family members joined the event. They made a heartfelt urge to the government for passing the bill on road safety so that others don’t go through the pain that they went through.

Abhishek Srivastava, chairman, Consumer Guild said – “Road casualties are an epidemic and the governments can no longer afford to ignore. All avenues be it road design, licensing, driving skills, traffic management, vehicle design, policing, enforcement need to be addressed through a strong and comprehensive road safety legislation immediately.” Consumer Voice and its state partners have requested the government to pass the Motor Vehicle Amendment Bill 2017 in the upcoming winter session of the Parliament.

Ekta Purohit Manager-Projects Consumer VOICE stressed on passage of the Bill. She said “If this bill is further deferred, we will be putting at risk precious lives of citizens before the next session of Parliament can adopt it. These casualties may include thousands of innocent children and youths in their productive years of life. “

Mr Ashutosh Soti, Road accident victim and Founder of Shubham Soti Foundation who lost his teenage son in an accident said “ I lost my son on road. We are shattered and there is no hope left. Government must ensure safer road travel by passing road safety bill soon” He also encouraged youngsters to use helmets while driving at the walkathon.”

Major Ashish Chaturvedi, President, Ex-Army Welfare Association shared how young people play with their lives by breaking rules on roads.

Other volunteer organisations, Sashakt Foundation’s Amber Srivastav, Major Ashish Chaturvedi, President, Ex-Army Welfare Association, renowned  advocates of High Court Lucknow Imran Ullah Khan, Rajat Bansal, Amita Yadav, R.D.Shukla, Ratna Pandey, President Vaishya Samaj Pradeep ji also share their views on the road safety issue.

The event received very good response from Media.