One for the Road!

Fifteen years ago Gurgaon was not the millennium city it is today. There were no shopping malls, no mega office complexes, few schools and hospitals, hardly any hotels, limited eating options and no flyovers. It was the city people from Delhi made spacious houses in to retire peacefully or even for investment purposes since property prices were enticing. The roads were so empty that people who were learning to drive could practice with ease and it was no surprise if you spotted a snake or a mongoose outside your house.

Within a decade Gurgaon transformed to become a hustling bustling independent city with its famous malls, massive office complexes, luxury condominiums, several multi-speciality hospitals, dozens of schools, plethora of restaurants, metro connectivity, busy intersections and flyovers filled with fast cars. It is no longer a haven for the old and those keen to stay away from congested Delhi. It is now home to people from all over the country and the world, all thanks to all the multinational companies that choose to open shop in Gurgaon. Just like any busy city, Gurgaon has its own set of problems, but it’s the unique set of cars and the people behind the wheel that attracts my attention. If you look carefully, here is what you would find.

1)      The Cabbies: They are hired by the many ITES companies and BPOs to ferry people to and from office one batch after other. Drivers are usually red eyed, sleep deprived and working multiple shifts a day. The drivers and the engines of their cheap so-called SUVs are overworked. They stand too close at red lights and won’t think twice about brushing past. It is best to keep yourself and your car out of harm’s way.

 

2)     The Nouveau Rich: Often an indigenous Gurgaonwala who become rich by selling his agricultural land to a big builder. They are the ones with deep pockets and political connections. They are rich enough to buy the top line Audis and BMWs and powerful enough to stay out of jail even if they killed someone. They carry guns too and would not hesitate to shoot you. They are Gurgaon’s version of the fast and the furious. Watch out for them especially at night.

 

3)     The Office Crowd: The top brass usually has a chauffeur driven luxury sedan so they don’t have to waste their energy in changing gears and pushing pedals. They sit at the back, read the newspaper or discuss business strategy on the way to office. The other corporate commuters in middle management do not have this luxury but do not take the cab either. They drive their small or mid-sized cars to office and have to worry about petty things like parking.

 

4)     The Mommy Drivers: They mostly drive their children to school and various other classes, go to the gym, spa and the mall. The size of their car can vary depending on their husband’s occupation. They are smart enough to avoid the traffic hours.

 

5)     The Two and Three Wheelers: The delivery guys on bikes, the triple riders and scooters transporting families dangerously zigzag through the traffic maze and frequently bump into cars for the lack of keeping a safe distance and not using brakes appropriately. The three wheelers go at a slow pace impacting everyone behind them, they often compete with each other, take sharp turns and seem to be unaware of the trouble they cause to others.

Additionally, there are cyclists and pedestrians who are often found in the middle of the road even when the signal is green. This unique mix along with everyone’s “me first” attitude is a deadly one that can damage cars, injure people or even prove fatal, shattering many lives in the process.

Drive Carefully, Stay Safe!