“On the road, we are viewed as criminals, but during disasters, we are praised for our brave efforts”. Both the MVD and the police are looking into our autos and their owners. Sabin Paul, president of the Pulpally Off-roaders Club, which assisted with rescue efforts in Chooralmala and Mundakkai, stated that the quest must come to a stop. He went on to stress that the safety of his team members could only be secured through suitable government policies.
Given their vital role in rescue operations in disaster-hit places, off-roaders’ clubs have urged the Kerala government and the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) to create a protection policy for customized off-road vehicles.
Off-road vehicle owners praised the club members’ courageous efforts in landslide-hit Wayanad, noting that the State Disaster Management Authority may profit even more from implementing such a program.
Saviours During The Floods, Outlaws After it
Off-roaders received a great deal of recognition for their unselfish assistance during the floods. But within a few months, the saviors became outlaws as a result of a January 2019 Supreme Court decision declaring that structural modifications to automobiles are unlawful. For off-road driving, the majority of 4×4 cars have undergone structural modifications.
In accordance with the Kerala Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, the apex court decided that “no vehicle could be altered so as to change original specification made by the manufacturer.”
The enthusiasts for four-wheel drive are less happy about the rule change. In the interim, they want the government to adopt a more lenient stance while they work to amend the law.
My jeep is thirty years old. The manufacturer no longer produces original parts. It includes power steering, which I fitted. During the floods, the automobile saved several lives. Tisson Tharappel, liaison officer for the Kerala Adventure Sports Club, questioned why he loved so much
Car enthusiasts claimed that while dangerous changes such as protruding tires and fitting noisy silencers should be forbidden, responsible additions should not.
Almost all of Kerala’s 19 off-road clubs helped with the rescue and relief activities during the floods. Several automobiles incurred serious damage throughout the operation. When Kerala was hit by heavy rain and landslides a week ago, off-roaders were once again seen in action.
Ambulances could not reach, instead off-road vehicles were used as a backup in the disaster area
Off-road vehicles, which have always been blamed, are now a lifeline in disaster areas. Such vehicles rush to places where even an ambulance cannot pass. The owners of off-road vehicles who reached the disaster area immediately after the landslide rescued many people and brought them out.
