Bum-per of Rides!

Among the four rides I took off Calangute Beach in Goa earlier this year, bumper ride was the most enjoyable one. Tip of current hitting one’s bum, placed on a floater tied to a speed boat, hard and tossing body at some height on sea water is a thrilling experience, especially when the boat is cruizing some kilometers off the shore. Though weird, the ride is worth an experience (even if it means getting your bottom hit hard and that too by paying for it! You vulgars!!). While leaving Goa, I vowed to return to the state in future and enjoy the ride again.

However, it never crossed my mind that the future would be so near and bumper rides back in life. It is just that the sea water has been replaced by roads and hits being harder. Compared to past few seasons, officials of meteorological department are busier recording rainfall this year, thanks to relatively satisfactory showers registered over the last four months. The rains, however, have caused pathetic condition of roads which has my body crying for cushions while commuting as journeys towards office and home have turned into ‘bum-per’ rides. With fun quotient missing in such a ride, paying toll for the same has become a weird thought, contradictory to what happens on sea water.

A web of roads connecting industrial belt of Navi Mumbai to other places witnesses heavy traffic everyday. Revenue generated at toll plazas in these areas amounts to some hundred crore annually. Whose pockets do the money flows into is the first, obvious and repeatedly asked question. But the damages caused by these instances of inferior infrastructure to vehicles and health of motorists are becoming issues of great concern. The situation has led to commuters demanding cancellation of tolls on such roads. This, however, is a no permanent solution to the problem and may lead to concerned authorities responsible for construction of the roads become more ignorant towards the issue.

Condition of roads in a country is considered as one of the parameters that indicate its development. Keeping this in mind, we know where we Indians stand as of now, right in potholes! Though our administrators are taking wrong turns over the developmental issue, it’s our duty to play at least the roles assigned to us in democracy well. This can be done by putting forth demands in a proper manner. Getting toll cancelled is okay, but having roads in good conditions is what we need and rather something must insist on. And if these demands fruition, generalization of bumper ride will stop and it can be enjoyed on sea water only.