May 07, 2004 07:41 PM
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(Updated May 07, 2004 07:41 PM)
Kerala, the god?s own country has one of the longest and most complex network of roads in the country. Despite being a synonym of peacefulness and quieter ambience thanks to its beautiful landscape, the roads of Kerala can give you a ride with your life.
It resembles the wilderness and uncertainty of the F1 tracks so much that you may be left dumbstruck after a conveyance in a local bus. To make matters worse, roads which are already crowded with too many vehicles (so many that the number can stand shoulder on with that of New Jersey, US of A) are also epitomes of poor maintenance. But these fast and furious drivers in their frenzy and craving for speed takes the poor travelers on a DOA ride as if they?re on a roller coaster in the Orlando amusement Park.
The other day I happen to see a bus named Highway Thriller (Well, in Kerala most are private owned buses. So they name them and paints them with all the weird color combinations) Fortunately or unfortunately, I timed so immaculately that I saw it when it was maneuvering between a truck and an SUV in bid to overtake the truck that was in the front.
The travelers in the bus (and in the SUV) felt like they are on that thin line between death and life for a few micro seconds. The interesting part is that the travelers (not all of them) are also enjoying this adventurous bait as if they are watching a cliffhanger that has touch of reality to it. Now step aside Temptation Island and Survivor, that?s the first reality bone chilling thriller on the road in the world!
Chapter one from the Roads of Kerala: Life can terminate on a nail-biting thriller that may have you adrenalin pumping all over your spine before you are dead!
Kerala registers numerous road accidents everyday with most of the cases involving buses and trucks. I couldn?t quite make out why these big vehicles are involved so much until I learned that they are the fastest monsters on the roads here. The government has done all what it could. It erected check posts and took stringent traffic measures.
The monsters continue to prance and race on the roads. These Schumachers justify themselves by saying they need to meet their time schedules. Besides, the number of buses have swelled so much that most of them cant get enough travelers. So they turn these poor roads to F1 tracks that plays with poor people?s lives.
These roads have perhaps the most number of dangerous curves and turns than anywhere else in south India. Most of the roads are not in good condition too. So when these ?things? rush to and fro like mad, all the vehicles and people on the road are also become part of their game. One thing anyone can learn is that no one is safe here. So that?s chapter two: If you think you are safe out there, think again!
Now lets talk something good. Its so awful to talk a lot of bad things about Kerala because there aren?t many. Kerala has everything you need for a making it a happening holyday where you can witness all the shades of life. From river rafting in the whitewaters and paragliding to peaceful houseboat rides in the back waters of the amazing Alapuzha. So there?s chapter three: Look! Kerala now has some Xtreme dimension.
As for the road devils, a lot can be done to prevent them from playing with the life of the naïve people. The traffic police should check the speed of the buses strictly and should install check post between all destinations. The severity of the punishment if caught should be raised. The authorities can limit the number of permits given to a particular route.
All those packing up to fly to Kerala should be careful of the roads if you are taking your vehicle. Even though the traffic is showing promising changes of late. The number of road accidents has come down thanks to the deployment of Highway patrol. But I?d recommend train journey as it is more safe as well as enjoyable. The trains are the same as those in the North (Those long chained thing that runs on a track which has a red chain that can be pulled to stop it)
The difference is that the trains here are clean and there are virtually no danger of robbers even in the night. More people take ticket here than anywhere else in India. There are three air ports and all of them are well connected with all the major cities in India and abroad. So when you think of Kerala, think of its beautiful back waters, the eloquent and well educated local people, the landscape, the temples and......oh yeah the ROADS!
