little bit of physics, few convex mirrors and some socially aware engineering students was what it took to make the stretch surrounding the KBR National Park a safe zone. In the last one month, large convex mirrors had been installed in ten spots in Jubilee Hills and Banjara Hills where blind turns were increasing the possibility of accidents.
The people behind the idea and execution are students of the city-based engineering colleges who carry out social work under the banner, ‘Youth League’. Leave aside the scientific method of knowing the contribution of these convex mirrors to road safety, the members have already started feeling a sense of achievement.
“A few days ago, I was checking one of the spots in Banjara Hills where we had installed the convex mirror. To my surprise, I found that someone had stuck a note there. Through the note, some person had thanked us for saving his life. This incident gave us great satisfaction,” said M. Sri Ram, president of Youth League and a third-year civil engineering student of MJ College of Engineering and Technology.
“We had casually enquired with homeless people, who sleep on the footpaths and open spaces, if the convex mirrors are of any use. They shared that there were fewer instances of cars stopping or screeching near these blind turns after the mirrors were installed.”
It was not an easy mission for the youngsters. First, they had to work on getting the required permissions and approvals, which took about six months. The next challenge was to find donors to fund the project. “We went to a lot of people, but our request was declined. Finally, White Water Construction Company helped us by donating Rs. 60,000 that was required to install the 10 convex mirrors. Since our members and friends are from mechanical and civil engineering branches, we made sure that the design and placement was right,” informed Mr. Sriram. Moving forward, the members of Youth League want to install 40 such convex mirrors across the city.
We approached a lot of people asking for funds. Finally, White Water Construction Company helped us by donating Rs. 60,000 to install 10 convex mirrors
M. Sri Ram
President, Youth League
