I CAME TO Lucknow eight months ago and there are few things I have understood and realised about the traffic in Lucknow. The traffic is as haphazard as in any other city, yet I managed to find a few peculiarities, which I will share with you.
 
Let us start with traffic signals. A few months ago there were no signals on the major crossings of the city. I used to find it so amusing to see the traffic policeman controlling traffic. It almost seemed as if he was trying to control mad bulls. It looked like a marathon where cars, busses, trucks, motorcycles broke all traffic rules and while trying to navigate their way out of the maze almost collided into each other. But the best part was the scenario after the lights were installed. The scene was one of total chaos. Nobody knew what to do. Everyone had become so used to operating without traffic lights that it now looked like an object exported from Mars. It is a big crossing and there was a huge jam on the first day. It looked as if the city had come to a standstill. Some people recollected the traffic rules they had learnt in their childhood, though never used in their adult life, and tried to stop when the light went red but it was not to be. They were nagged by the vehicles behind them and finally had to jump. The red, yellow, and green colours of the traffic light meant nothing to these people, it was a lesson they had learnt and forgotten the moment they first sat behind the wheel.

The traffic cop finally decided that the situation was out of control and took over. The faith I had in traffic police made me think that order would be restored now. But the cop also seemed to have more faith in his arm than the traffic light. He ignored the light completely and waved his hand impatiently for me to cross.

 

This day I realised that what I faced today is actually a reality for most people who are not living in metropolitan cities. They have to wage a war everyday in order to reach their offices, schools, colleges, etc on time. Phrases like “India shining” and “India is developing” seem so hollow when one is faced with a situation like this. Basic facilities such as traffic lights, proper roads, etc are missing. A slight drizzle, and the roads look as if they have just faced a major flood.

 

I have devoted this article to traffic signal. I am sure people stuck on flyovers or waiting anxiously on the road for cows and buffaloes to pass first, have an equally amusing tale to tell.

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