MONSOON AND DELHI ROADS

BY APURVA RAI

AS soon as the summer of '92 arrived people started praying for the rains. Whether they were industrialists (in their plush air conditioned offices) or workers or housewives in their homes, everyone tortured by the heat and dust started praying for one thing-- an early monsoon.

The prayers indeed came from their hearts as the weatherman added fire to the heat and predicted drought conditions all over the country or scanty rains here and there. Every poor got frightened by the very thought of prolonged summers.

But god had something else in store. Monsoon arrived, though late. At last, everyone heaved a sigh of relief. 

For Delhi, the rains too mean nothing less than havoc. There are less cheers and more discomforts as the Capital's roads are put to testing times. The rains suddenly make visible the real nature of Delhi's roads.

Just walk through the lanes and by-lanes anywhere in the Capital and what do you come across? As usual they have pits to make you fall, garbage dumped at one side and open drains flowing freely on both the sides. A walk through these lanes after rainfall leaves behind an unforgettable experience for the residents of Delhi. One can't get through them without spoiling clothes and putting a cover on the nose. One really wonders what the maintenance department is doing!

Once, while travelling on the DTC bus on a rainy day, I asked the driver to stop the vehicle near my office. He did it promptly. Before alighting I looked out to find that the bus was standing on a huge puddle. The pavement was a few metres away and jumping onto it was nearly impossible. I again requested the driver to move the bus a few yards ahead but he refused to heed as he seemed in a great hurry. Finding no other way, I jumped from the bus but landed on ankle-deep water. My shoes (an expensive pair though) were totally soaked and my trousers got spoiled in the splash. The bus sped immediately and I too rushed to my office in this condition.

Whom should I curse-- the DTC for not dropping me at a safer place, or the Delhi Administration for not keeping the sewers clean, or my own fate for not helping me own a Maruti and reach the office safe and clean.

A drive through Delhi's roads during monsoon too is an experience of its kind. The broad smooth looking roads suddenly become bumpy and dangerous, both for you and your vehicle. Small to very deep patches crop up here and there. A little carelessness would mean sure injury to you and your vehicle. And none shall be responsible. Even the Delhi Traffic Police is a silent sufferer to all this.

Whom to blame for this? Certainly not the government. Funds are allotted for proper construction of roads but it is our own irresponsibility or of the concerned authorities that brings them to this condition. The deep pits reveal how deep are the roots of corruption in our administrative system.

Will our government do something about such corrupt officials or should I pray God to stop raining water so that the roads continue to gleam and look wider and smoother?

(The above article appeared in 'Patriot' on August 20, 1992.)

NOTE

Also read other my other pieces:

Copy/ Paste the given links to reads these Blogs. 

1) BECOMING KEJRIWAL! (2019)
https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2020/02/becoming-kejriwal.html

2) हवा ही है ज़हरीली (2019)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2019/12/blog-post.html 

3) अब दिल्ली महानगरपाविका चुनाव (2017)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2017/04/blog-post.html

4) Delhi Fights Pollution: Odds Come Again (2016)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2016/04/delhi-fights-pollution-odds-come-again.html

5) Delhi Pollution: Fighting Odds to make Things Even (2016)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2016/01/delhi-pollution-fighting-odds-to-make.html

6) Delhi Pollution- Check 'Green Agenda' of Builders (2015)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2015/07/delhi-pollution-time-to-check-green.html

7) Delhi Pollution: Mindless Driving Major Concern (2015)

https://apurvaopinion.blogspot.com/2015/07/mindless-driving-polluting-delhi.html

8) मैं और मेरी दिल्ली (2011)

http://apurvarai.blogspot.com/2011/11/blog-post.html