Are you interested in experiencing an adventurous sport, but you don't want to spend lot of money or travel to long places to do that? We have a solution for you here in Mumbai. Mumbaikars daily play this adventurous sport which hardly cost anything and you doesn't need to travel far away from home to experience it. It is called Mumbai local train.
I don't travel by local train in Mumbai. Although, I am here for some good time now, but my experience with this travelling mode is almost zero. I was just a listener of all the horror stories of Mumbai local train traveling. Whenever I use to cross over the Tilak bridge of Dadar, I used to wonder, how would all these people fit in one train, which already arrives mostly occupied?
But then, something unimaginable happened yesterday. For some reason, I had to go to Badlapur. I thought of taking out car, but then others ( who are used to this train traveling) insisted and we ended up taking a train. I thought it is Sunday, and early morning time and it shouldn't be that big crowd going in opposite direction. We ended up standing on Dadar station's platform for 8.11 a.m. CSMT-Badlapur train. We went little early, so I thought my conjecture is turning right. But then as soon as the time was 8.06 or so, from somewhere, people started gathering and very I realized I am myself a part of the scene I used to see from Tilak bridge. I was given courage and suggestions on what to do and whatnot to do at those fine moments of boarding the train. Fortunately, it did not turn out to be that difficult to catch the train. For next couple of stations it was pretty ok to even stand in the boggie. There was crowd, but comfortable. But then the train arrived at the Thane station and I got the first glimpse of what crowd really is? I was initially standing in one of the corners near the first seat. But once the train started, I realized my body parts are in all different directions. The two legs were far apart. Hands were holding at two different places and I was literally doing some kind of Yoga pose. By the next station, I was thrown deep inside the boggie with pretty much change in the standing stance I had taken.
If some one is thinking that stay deep inside for the whole journey and just come in the most crowded probably during the time you want to get down. But that is the grave mistake you would do. Because by the time you may reach the gates, you would have crossed 2-3 stations beyond your destination.
Luckily our station was the last one. So, I thought getting down would be easy, as every one would want to get down here. But, that is wrong thinking. Even the last station is crowded and every one standing on the platform wants to board the train for the return journey. The unwritten rule in these places says that, who ever wants to enter, let them inside first. Once the rush is over, then all those who want to get down may proceed. If you attempt an early stepping down process, the influx would force you return to your place and you may get physically hurt. Interesting thing, nobody would bother to look after you but instead abuse you for trying to break the unwritten rule.
The return journey was equally adventurous. But now I had get the inkling of what to expect. So, I survived.
I took this experience yesterday for the first time. In spite that it was a holiday and early morning time. I can only imagine, what people must be experiencing on working days, when the need to board the train and reach destination in time very much important. I feel pity for some of my colleagues who travel from places known for gathering maximum crowd. Probably, I traveled on route which has some humanity. Because there are other routes where some other unwritten rules have to be followed. For example: You can not board travel going to Virar if you have to get down at Borivali. There are places fixed for people to stand, sit in every boggie. And it has resulted in forming groups. Either you be a part of this ( if they accommodate you) or you face the music. In worst case scenario, you may can even get thrown out of the running train.
So, this local train travel has kinds of components that make it an adventurous sport. Come and try this fantastic ride and I hope you survive through it every day.
No comments:
Post a Comment