Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Autorickshaws – those favorite 3 wheelers and Roads….
And the subject of “Traffic, Flyovers, Accident and more…” in another narrative.
Autos as they are most commonly called, bikes, pedestrians and roads, Lorries and BMTC busses – pretty much covers the subject of “Traffic Woes” in Bangalore. So many callous drivers, Boisterous Bike Riders, Macho Motocylists, Arrogant Lorry (truck) drivers and Over Confident BMTC (state run) bus drivers! And the constant honking – in various styles to convey a different message – get out of my way, move on, police ahead?, just for fun, I’m here!...There is never a dull moment on this city’s roads.
A couple of days ago (July 19th), I had an experience in a rickety auto. Felt like my bones were breaking. So much so, I asked the driver to stop mid-way, paid him, got off and took another (better) auto to work.
Funny, this rickety auto had a xerox copy of a certificate pasted on the back of the driver’s seat, facing the passenger. There was a picture of the driver and his age said “29 years”. I looked at that and then at the driver – he seemed so much older than that 29 years – lots of gray hair and wrinkles even. I could not believe it.
And then I looked more carefully, and noticed that the certificate was from 1977!! Over 3 decades ago? Of course, he looked so much younger in that picture. And that ceritificate… it was from an “Autorickshaw Drivers Training Course” and said “Ramakrishna has completed this training successfully from April 25th 1977 to April 29th 1977”. And Ramakrishna had proudly displayed this certificate of his credentials of a 4 day course he completed 30 years ago that made him fully qualified and authorized in fact, to be on Banaglroe city roads. Even today!
I figured that the auto itself was also as old, that’s why it was so rickety. Perhaps IF the certificate was not there, I would have continued to ride it, thinking it was only because of the roads (just as Ramakrishna had claimed). My second auto ride was bumpy too, but it was a relatively newer auto, it did not feel like my bones were breaking and falling apart – so all was well and I reached work safely, as usual J
For those of you who have not seen one of these most popular commuter vehicles in Bangalore, here are some pics I found on the web:
http://www.answers.com/topic/bangalore-autorickshaw-jpg
http://www.nrgnet.com/markus/IndiaTrip/DSC05201.html & http://www.nrgnet.com/IndiaTrip/largeDSC05201.html
I got a picture from an friend once, which showed a hi-tech autorickshaw with a TV and all. Can’t seem to find that pic. now. I myself have not seen this type of an auto yet.
I even found a video clip of an autorickshaw ride in Bangalore:
http://www.vimeo.com/clip:69882
It’s really cool actually (the video, not necessarily the ride), might appear scary to some of you. Others from this part of the world, do you recognize any landmarks enroute this auto ride?
I do not drive myself yet, you see, and I somehow do not like the idea of hiring a driver to drive the car we have. We did that once (for a couple of months actually) but it was not a nice experience. So, until I brave the roads and traffic and get in front of the wheel myself, public/private transport, it will continue to be for me. And interesting mornings and evenings too!
Along with the rides, comes conversations with auto drivers and co-passengers on the bus. It also almost always involves an argument with the auto driver, regarding the price. It’s the same distance I commute everyday (about 10.5 km = ~7 miles) but it can cost anywhere between Rs. 60 to Rs. 80. And the ride lasts about an hour, maybe double that time if there is heavier traffic. Once I paid Rs. 100 even! These auto drivers with the fraudulent meters act innocent and claim “that’s what it costs, it’s fair”. But, I’m sure, they tamper with the meter. I have not taken anyone to action, as yet J
See: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1694384.cms
Where “Cops flag down errant autorickshaw drivers” though it’s difficult to handle the city's 70,000-plus auto drivers
Besides an occasional cop, I wondered if anyone else was doing anything about this – the fraudulent auto meters I mean. I was pleasantly surprised to note one morning (it was July 25th) that someone in fact is! ACitizen’s group perhaps. When my auto stopped at a signal, a man handed me a flier and a card (in Kannada and English). It was a form to lodge complaints against faulty meters and rude autorickshaw drivers. . I tucked away the card, determined to use it against the next auto driver that I find, that takes advantage of us riders. That day, my auto driver asked me if his meter was OK (afraid that I might send in the card I guess). I’m sure he saw me noting the address, which I routinely do these days of his displayed nameplate. All autos have these pasted on the inside of the auto, located conveniently in good view of the passenger. Before this ID card display, it was cumberson to note down the liscence plate of the auto and we would not know the driver’s name, badge #, DL # etc. All this is handy info. for the passenger now. Even his home address is available so we know why he refuses to go in our direction late I the evening (maybe opposite to where his home is and that’s where he wants to head at the end of the day, fair enough).
Autos are the mode of transport that’s widely used. I use it a lot and I lose a lot of my belongings on these rickety 3-wheelers too. I’m actually keeping an inventory of my lost (and will never find) items – a digital camera, a cell phone, a few new grand saris in a bag – enroute to the tailors for stitching a “fall”, a small kit bag with overnight clothes medicines and address book – very valuable! (my mom lost this when me, mom and my daughter drove together one day!) . We could report to a police station, but with 70,000 autos and so many riders after us each day, chances are slim in finding these. Besides, we did not note the auto ID in any of these cases (before the days of those display boards inside the autos).
So much for autos, I think I’ve given you an overdose of it J I have a whole lot more to share about the conversations I have with the auto drivers in the local vernacular (that I speak too – fluency improving through more usage J). But, that I will reserve for another day and another narrative.
Let me switch to my other pet peeve that goes with the commute.THE ROADS, of course! Bangalore roads are something to definitely talk about and wonder what a an administrative body “of the people, by the people and for the people” (our government) is (not) doing? Citizens and sincere tax-payers are left to ponder, wonder and get very angry about the pathetic state of affairs of Bangalore roads. There are “Dharnas” and “Bundh’s”. But, no changes in site. Or are so peripheral and superficial that it’s not even fixing a dent in a crater.
I can rattle off the names of all the roads that need major overhaul, ney, a complete re-do! Or maybe just a shutdown and a re-open somewhere else?!!
Sarjapur Road – close to all the high-tech and MNC’s where money is pouring in like water in a land of plentiful water;
Puttenahalli Road – where a “Saraki” lake threatens to overflow and flood the road AND the houses in the neighborhood (where “Flats” like Elita Promenade, Brigade Millenium, Brigade Gardenia have created oases, and contribuited in a large part to the pathetic state of the roads – carrying tons of granite and marble on the little winding village lanes – now called main road, to build their tall magnificent structures). The scene of the commuters on this road, seems strange but has gotten familiar. It’s like a city being evacauated. As if people are trying to desperately to run away from something – but all they are doing is going to work or just returning home J
All of the roads in the so called “posh” Koramangala area
And the “infamous” Bannerhatta Road and where the the famous Institute of Management (IIM) is located. I always wondered, wouldn’t it be a world class project for those Mgt. grads to create a “world class” highway (or at least a steller plan for it – following it up with execution from someone else), or even just a road in front of their institute and suggest means of sustaining it? Maybe they have thought about it, and given up? ASIDE: We used to live in a flat on Bannergatta Road. If we mentioned the name of the road to auto drivers, they would not come (because of the road condition). So, we would mention all the nearby landmarks, but the road, to get home! Now they have laid the road partially, it’s a little decent, so property prices and rents have escalated many many fold! What’s considered something normal (a road in decent condition for citizens to go from point A to B, is a great priveldge in this part of the world, this city in particular I should say).
The perennially clogged Hosur Road leading to the World Class Electronic City - headquarters of companies like Biocon, Infosys…major offices of Lucent, Novell, a BMW Showroom…
So these are just SOME of the bad roads which of course also automatically become regular spots of daily traffic jams.
These types of roads and conditions will be unacceptable in the US. I think they will be cordoned off as regions and areas “unsafe and even dangerous” for humans. There would be yellow contruction tapemand danger signs all over. But, over here, it’s just the way of life and quite normal in fact.
A friend sent out a link to video cam installed at major intersections – spots of perennial traffic jams. People can leave the office after checking out the traffic online. Very few junctions being monitored currently – maybe they will expand to other notorious roads: See the live video cam at: http://bangalorelive.sifymax.com/blive_traffic.php
This together with Radio reports – from SMS messages from citizens, keeps Banaglore city quite uptodate on traffic bottlenecks. Nothing much is done about it though. “Simply adjust maadi” (just adjust) is the modus operandi.
There is a whole lot more to talk about … the buses, the flyovers in a perennial state of construction, unfortunate accidents – some deadly. Wait for all this is “Part II” of my narration, that I’m still working on.
-Sri
Autos as they are most commonly called, bikes, pedestrians and roads, Lorries and BMTC busses – pretty much covers the subject of “Traffic Woes” in Bangalore. So many callous drivers, Boisterous Bike Riders, Macho Motocylists, Arrogant Lorry (truck) drivers and Over Confident BMTC (state run) bus drivers! And the constant honking – in various styles to convey a different message – get out of my way, move on, police ahead?, just for fun, I’m here!...There is never a dull moment on this city’s roads.
A couple of days ago (July 19th), I had an experience in a rickety auto. Felt like my bones were breaking. So much so, I asked the driver to stop mid-way, paid him, got off and took another (better) auto to work.
Funny, this rickety auto had a xerox copy of a certificate pasted on the back of the driver’s seat, facing the passenger. There was a picture of the driver and his age said “29 years”. I looked at that and then at the driver – he seemed so much older than that 29 years – lots of gray hair and wrinkles even. I could not believe it.
And then I looked more carefully, and noticed that the certificate was from 1977!! Over 3 decades ago? Of course, he looked so much younger in that picture. And that ceritificate… it was from an “Autorickshaw Drivers Training Course” and said “Ramakrishna has completed this training successfully from April 25th 1977 to April 29th 1977”. And Ramakrishna had proudly displayed this certificate of his credentials of a 4 day course he completed 30 years ago that made him fully qualified and authorized in fact, to be on Banaglroe city roads. Even today!
I figured that the auto itself was also as old, that’s why it was so rickety. Perhaps IF the certificate was not there, I would have continued to ride it, thinking it was only because of the roads (just as Ramakrishna had claimed). My second auto ride was bumpy too, but it was a relatively newer auto, it did not feel like my bones were breaking and falling apart – so all was well and I reached work safely, as usual J
For those of you who have not seen one of these most popular commuter vehicles in Bangalore, here are some pics I found on the web:
http://www.answers.com/topic/bangalore-autorickshaw-jpg
http://www.nrgnet.com/markus/IndiaTrip/DSC05201.html & http://www.nrgnet.com/IndiaTrip/largeDSC05201.html
I got a picture from an friend once, which showed a hi-tech autorickshaw with a TV and all. Can’t seem to find that pic. now. I myself have not seen this type of an auto yet.
I even found a video clip of an autorickshaw ride in Bangalore:
http://www.vimeo.com/clip:69882
It’s really cool actually (the video, not necessarily the ride), might appear scary to some of you. Others from this part of the world, do you recognize any landmarks enroute this auto ride?
I do not drive myself yet, you see, and I somehow do not like the idea of hiring a driver to drive the car we have. We did that once (for a couple of months actually) but it was not a nice experience. So, until I brave the roads and traffic and get in front of the wheel myself, public/private transport, it will continue to be for me. And interesting mornings and evenings too!
Along with the rides, comes conversations with auto drivers and co-passengers on the bus. It also almost always involves an argument with the auto driver, regarding the price. It’s the same distance I commute everyday (about 10.5 km = ~7 miles) but it can cost anywhere between Rs. 60 to Rs. 80. And the ride lasts about an hour, maybe double that time if there is heavier traffic. Once I paid Rs. 100 even! These auto drivers with the fraudulent meters act innocent and claim “that’s what it costs, it’s fair”. But, I’m sure, they tamper with the meter. I have not taken anyone to action, as yet J
See: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1694384.cms
Where “Cops flag down errant autorickshaw drivers” though it’s difficult to handle the city's 70,000-plus auto drivers
Besides an occasional cop, I wondered if anyone else was doing anything about this – the fraudulent auto meters I mean. I was pleasantly surprised to note one morning (it was July 25th) that someone in fact is! ACitizen’s group perhaps. When my auto stopped at a signal, a man handed me a flier and a card (in Kannada and English). It was a form to lodge complaints against faulty meters and rude autorickshaw drivers. . I tucked away the card, determined to use it against the next auto driver that I find, that takes advantage of us riders. That day, my auto driver asked me if his meter was OK (afraid that I might send in the card I guess). I’m sure he saw me noting the address, which I routinely do these days of his displayed nameplate. All autos have these pasted on the inside of the auto, located conveniently in good view of the passenger. Before this ID card display, it was cumberson to note down the liscence plate of the auto and we would not know the driver’s name, badge #, DL # etc. All this is handy info. for the passenger now. Even his home address is available so we know why he refuses to go in our direction late I the evening (maybe opposite to where his home is and that’s where he wants to head at the end of the day, fair enough).
Autos are the mode of transport that’s widely used. I use it a lot and I lose a lot of my belongings on these rickety 3-wheelers too. I’m actually keeping an inventory of my lost (and will never find) items – a digital camera, a cell phone, a few new grand saris in a bag – enroute to the tailors for stitching a “fall”, a small kit bag with overnight clothes medicines and address book – very valuable! (my mom lost this when me, mom and my daughter drove together one day!) . We could report to a police station, but with 70,000 autos and so many riders after us each day, chances are slim in finding these. Besides, we did not note the auto ID in any of these cases (before the days of those display boards inside the autos).
So much for autos, I think I’ve given you an overdose of it J I have a whole lot more to share about the conversations I have with the auto drivers in the local vernacular (that I speak too – fluency improving through more usage J). But, that I will reserve for another day and another narrative.
Let me switch to my other pet peeve that goes with the commute.THE ROADS, of course! Bangalore roads are something to definitely talk about and wonder what a an administrative body “of the people, by the people and for the people” (our government) is (not) doing? Citizens and sincere tax-payers are left to ponder, wonder and get very angry about the pathetic state of affairs of Bangalore roads. There are “Dharnas” and “Bundh’s”. But, no changes in site. Or are so peripheral and superficial that it’s not even fixing a dent in a crater.
I can rattle off the names of all the roads that need major overhaul, ney, a complete re-do! Or maybe just a shutdown and a re-open somewhere else?!!
Sarjapur Road – close to all the high-tech and MNC’s where money is pouring in like water in a land of plentiful water;
Puttenahalli Road – where a “Saraki” lake threatens to overflow and flood the road AND the houses in the neighborhood (where “Flats” like Elita Promenade, Brigade Millenium, Brigade Gardenia have created oases, and contribuited in a large part to the pathetic state of the roads – carrying tons of granite and marble on the little winding village lanes – now called main road, to build their tall magnificent structures). The scene of the commuters on this road, seems strange but has gotten familiar. It’s like a city being evacauated. As if people are trying to desperately to run away from something – but all they are doing is going to work or just returning home J
All of the roads in the so called “posh” Koramangala area
And the “infamous” Bannerhatta Road and where the the famous Institute of Management (IIM) is located. I always wondered, wouldn’t it be a world class project for those Mgt. grads to create a “world class” highway (or at least a steller plan for it – following it up with execution from someone else), or even just a road in front of their institute and suggest means of sustaining it? Maybe they have thought about it, and given up? ASIDE: We used to live in a flat on Bannergatta Road. If we mentioned the name of the road to auto drivers, they would not come (because of the road condition). So, we would mention all the nearby landmarks, but the road, to get home! Now they have laid the road partially, it’s a little decent, so property prices and rents have escalated many many fold! What’s considered something normal (a road in decent condition for citizens to go from point A to B, is a great priveldge in this part of the world, this city in particular I should say).
The perennially clogged Hosur Road leading to the World Class Electronic City - headquarters of companies like Biocon, Infosys…major offices of Lucent, Novell, a BMW Showroom…
So these are just SOME of the bad roads which of course also automatically become regular spots of daily traffic jams.
These types of roads and conditions will be unacceptable in the US. I think they will be cordoned off as regions and areas “unsafe and even dangerous” for humans. There would be yellow contruction tapemand danger signs all over. But, over here, it’s just the way of life and quite normal in fact.
A friend sent out a link to video cam installed at major intersections – spots of perennial traffic jams. People can leave the office after checking out the traffic online. Very few junctions being monitored currently – maybe they will expand to other notorious roads: See the live video cam at: http://bangalorelive.sifymax.com/blive_traffic.php
This together with Radio reports – from SMS messages from citizens, keeps Banaglore city quite uptodate on traffic bottlenecks. Nothing much is done about it though. “Simply adjust maadi” (just adjust) is the modus operandi.
There is a whole lot more to talk about … the buses, the flyovers in a perennial state of construction, unfortunate accidents – some deadly. Wait for all this is “Part II” of my narration, that I’m still working on.
-Sri
