My impressions of Delhi

Recently, during Sep 26 and Oct 10, 2009, Vijaya and I (and Ashok-Neeraja) had gone to New Delhi and stayed with Vasu and Srikanth.

The first impression I got was that the city is very large; truly it has been claimed "a city of distances". People here do not mind travelling over 35 km to their office, in heavy traffic! I was told our Ravi once used to travel 40 km to his office, that too on a scooter! In Delhi a car is a must, I feel. Vasu and others eat breakfast while travelling, I am told.

Secondly, the METRO is all-pervasive in the city. Already there are 3 lines functioning; and before the Commonwealth Games start in 2010, this will be extended manyfold. Construction work goes on in a breakneck speed to beat the deadline. Result? Diversion, Excavation, pollution etc. The Metro is quite cool (AC), clean, efficient, and hi-tec.

Roads and flyovers are wide, unlike in Chennai. Even these are highly choked with traffic! A recent study says that, on an average, a car user wastes 1.6 litres of fuel daily because of jams amounting to a staggering 500 crores of rupees per year ! The buses are filthy and in a dilapidated condition, compare this with sparkling new buses of Chennai. However Delhi buses are likely to improve in months to come, thanks to the Commonwealth Games.

rajappa
0700 AM on 15 Oct 2009

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