Students cannot rely on the CTU bus service. The buses are not only overcrowded by commuters, but also take a lot of time to reach the stoppages. To add to the woes, when the bus finally arrives, the students are too fatigued to load anything onto their brains. Thus, this inconvenient methodology compels them to drive their two-wheelers without a driving license. Hence, they are challaned over and again extracting a huge pile from the funds of traffic police. Why can't the traffic rules be relaxed or the minimum age limit for driving lowered?

My younger bother, Ashish, who just appeared in his plus two exams from DAV College Sector 10D, is a typical example to be cited here. He is preparing for engineering and takes coaching from different teachers in sector 38, sector 15 and sector 19. He has not yet attained the age for the license. Therefore, he cannot drive a two-wheeler. Bicycle makes it too cumbersome for him to travel the distances mentioned above. Looking at the alternative of a bus, he is then able to attend only one tuition. And if he drives a scooter, he gets challaned. What should he do ? And the same questions is pondered over by numerous students in different institutes. And what about those putting up in neighbouring Panchkula and Mohali ? This way, they'll quit preparing for the various competitions.

A 15-16 year old boy or girl is physically fit and matured to do justice while driving. But the rules made in 1947, still continue to be followed. I think it would be the best thing if Kiran Bedi was to start with a change in this regard. She must take a serious note of the difficulties encompassed by the youngsters with respect to traffic.

Most of the parents are quite enthusiastic about this move if it could take place. They don't have any reservations. As such, most of the families out here are working so it becomes a literally ``tough'' job for them to drop and pick the children after tuitions etc. Chandigarh also has the highest ratio of vehicles per person. Approximately, for every 3 persons there are 2 vehicles which is expected to shoot up to one vehicle per person by 2000. This provides substantial reasons for the policy makers to have a second look at this grave problem of minimum age for driving. Chandigarh officials must do the pioneering task in this respect. After Tihar Jail, Kiran Bedi should do something for the students of Chandigarh.

The writer is in BA II , SD College, Chandigarh.