Today’s TOI

If you read today’s Time of India, Bangalore edition, the front page has statistics about the roads of Bangalore.  It is a nicely written article (. . . AND THEY CALL THIS A ROAD). Wonder if it will make the authorities take any action at all?

The saga of Sholay Circle

On the way to my office, I take the langford town road (Richmond Town, Hosur Road) to sholay circle and then the deviation to the right towards d’souza circle and magrath road.

This particular road leading to sholay circle was probably asphalted in May. In June, the pre-monsoon showers happened. The road started giving up on the tar. Now after a couple of rains, there is no trace of tar remaining on the road. All that remains is mud, water and slush. As you might have guessed by now, the traffic moves really slow on that stretch causing huge jams in the peak hours.

Now, take the right turn towards D’Souza circle. That road was asphalted in June. One heavy rain and the road has caved in on 2 spots to make huge potholes right in the middle of the road. The turning looks no better than what it was before the road was laid.

Looking at these conditions, it makes me wonder how the BBMP gives the tenders, which are the companies that asphalt the road so unscientifically that they do not last 30 days?

Also, are these people who grant the tenders and those who lay the roads not responsible for the mess that happens later? Is it not at the cost of the taxpayer’s money that the development work happens? Is the system not accountable to the common man? Is there any law that allows the authorities to sue the companies for doing such poor work?

Do the relevant authorities work with their eyes shut? Is anyone listening?

The AUTO RICKSHAW…

I am sure most of you would be surprised if I mentioned frustration and did not mention auto rickshaw.

I had a harrowing experience this Thursday evening with autos. Since I had left my vehicle at home, I left office at about 5:30pm. On coming outside, I found a few other people trying to get an auto rickshaw. Within 5 minutes of standing there, it started drizzling. With the drizzle came the arrogance of the “autowallahs”. Off the 10 autos that passed, only 1 was empty. Try to stop this guy and he just goes away as if people standing there are fools. Such was the attitude and the arrogance that I did not even feel like getting on an auto at that time. Yet I tried, but to no avail. The situation was such that if someone was on deathbed and begged for help, the autowallah would not even give a second look. The sight disgusted me no end. In the end I came home by office cab at 10:15pm. The helplessness that I felt at that point in time cannot be put in words.

Many of us who choose auto rickshaw to commute have come across one or the other problems. Be it the drivers demanding extra fair or taking long routes or the rude behavior or the meters jumping (there is no limit on this one) or turning on waiting.

Also, the license display system that they have makes me feel dumb. Reasons? Some of them are expired. Some licenses and the drivers don’t match. What is the purpose of this system? Can someone explain?

Some of auto rickshaws that you see on the road are smoke factories in themselves. I don’t know how many of you have noticed that NOT a single “smoke factory” is caught by the so-called traffic police for not complying with the emission standards.

Is there a way you can complain about these drivers online? Taking these guys to the nearest police station does not work most of the time. Why? Because:
– You do not have the time to go to the police station and argue for an hour there (maybe you have to be in office by 10 or you have an urgent meeting).
– The driver uses such foul language that all that you want to say is “get lost”.
– Finally if you even drag the autowallah to the police station, is the effort worth it?

At the same time the good guys in the profession have to be mentioned. Some of the autowallahs are honest and do their job with dedication. No hassles, no arguments. Enjoy your ride, pay them the money and both the passenger and the driver are happy.

Phew!! I can go on and on about this topic, but I will stop here and let the readers think!

Independence Day

Happy Independence Day to the readers!!

Starting this blog on our independence day as this blog is going to be dedicated to current affairs and also a common man’s day to day life. I am based in Bangalore, so the blog will be focussed on Bangalore with some posts on other topics as well.

In our busy life, we come across so many incidents, a few that make us feel happy, a few that make us sad and many that make us feel frustrated. I will try to blog about a few of them here.

This blog is meant to be a discussion forum. Do write in your comments on the posts and let us together make a difference!!