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ABYSMAL ROTTEN ROADS – A HIDDEN BLESSING
DR SUDHAKAR NATARAJAN
Next time you bump along the strategically placed pot holes on the abysmal roads at a snail’s pace, don’t curse your fate. Our lives will be much easier if we accept the situation, that is beyond the common man’s control, and take the bad roads in our stride. When I was posted here in Feb 2007, I used to fret and fume over the road conditions. My personal new car has taken a good battering due to the bad roads. As the days passed by, I became immune and got used to the bone jangling bumps and my poor car got a new gear shaft , after it broke on these so called black-top metalled roads. If you can’t change it then accept it. Bad roads also have a silver lining. Bad roads have numerous benefits and are a blessing, if this chronic malady is viewed optimistically
1) Bad roads curb overspeeding: Due to these road conditions, though your vehicle may have a fifth gear top drive option, your speed is forcibly curbed due to the road conditions. On many of the roads one can’t drive more than 15 kmph. Lack of speed prevents fatal accidents, that are so common in States having express highways. Driving is so safe here that even Scorpios and Pajeros are overtaken by people on foot. In this scenario there is zilch chance of a head-on collision.
2) Bad roads hamper overtaking: It has been statistically proved by road research scientists that 94% of accidents occur during overtaking. Since the holes on the roads are constructed so accurately, it is next to impossible to overtake. Aggressive driving and overtaking on severely scarred roads are rare.
3) Bad roads promote auto industry: Perpetual road-pox afflicted roads increase fair wear and tear of vehicles. Auto ancillary industry sales goes up due to frequent replacement of spares. The companies which manufacture shock absorbers, gear parts, alternators etc are benefited along with their poor workers and share-holders.
4) Bad roads benefit rubber industry: Tyre sales have a direct bearing on the rubber industry. Increased tyre replacement helps the rubber industry and boosts those states that have rubber farms.
5) Bad roads help Petrol Pump owners: Fuel economy of the vehicle is severely effected due to road conditions that increases fuel consumption. Your visits to the petrol pump is more frequent and this gives a boost to the economic status of the petrol pump owners and employment is generated for the petrol pump boys, who otherwise would have remained jobless.
6) Bad roads promote civil aviation: The civil aviation sector here has got a boost because the elite rarely travel by road during visits outside the state. Civil Helicopter services from Naharlagun Helipad and Civil Flights from Lilabari Airport find passengers due to this.
7) Bad roads prevent Road-Rage: The road condition here makes the drivers more patient and docile. I feel the drivers here take things with more equanimity and poise as compared to those states having smooth roads. Bad roads enhance a rarely seen esprit-de-corps amongst the drivers and increase empathy.
8) Bad roads boost detergent industry: The common man who walks on roads without footpaths, returns home mud splattered due to vehicles splashing mud water that collects on the numerous pot holes. This benefits the soap and detergent industry since clothes have to be washed more frequently.
Mosquitoes are also quite happy since they can multiply in the water that collects in the potholes and this gives employment to the mosquito- repellent industry and the malarial drug industry.
Therefore the moral of the story is to make the best out of the bad bargain. Find blessings in adversities. Road will not effect our moods. We are made of tougher stuff. Enjoy life.
The writer is a Deputy Commandant in Indo Tibetan Border Police
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