Indianomics!

I had read in the Mumbai Mirror about this initiative called Meter Jam.

Because strikes need a strike back!  We’re tired of meter that always reads more than it should, drivers who refuse to ply and demand return fare whenever they want. And if all that wasn’t enough, now we have to deal with strikes too, any time the ‘unions’ decide!

Everyone is holding the janta to ransom. How much more will we pay? It’s time to turn the tables.

So on 12th August, shake your head and say NO if an auto driver offers a ride!

Meter Jam

Meter Jam

Very true to the core, this initiative is much appreciated for all the trouble we face in our day to day lives. Everyday I have to travel by rick and each day, I get a different meter reading. On an average, I have to pay Rs. 40 for one way travel but at times, the meter reading exceeds it and I end up paying Rs. 75!!

When I question it, he directly shows the meter and there is no way I can protest. The police too are hand in glove and others of the same fraternity rush to rescue. With this, you hardly have a voice to speak up to. While I go back, I have to ask atleast 10 to 12 Rickshaws to know if they can take me or not.

According to rules, they have no option to say no to any distance which is permissible according to RTO regulations. There are a lot of cases where Auto / Cab drivers are come up with innovative ideas of avoiding ferrying passengers.

There is a sect who are also on the softer side, who asks us to think why would a Auto Rickshaw driver earning in ’10s would not ferry any passenger. Well, to all of those who think this way, come to my place and try to hire a rick.

However today I saw a lot of people ferrying ricks, a lot of professionals doing the same. Its not because they don’t care, its because they don’t have an option.

For example, for me to get into a BEST bus from Kanjurmarg is next to impossible. I see a lot of people standing on the foot board and traveling since there is no way to get in. The buses are jam packed already. What Meter Jam should also have promoted it as a protest against the government utilities too, and not only against the Rickshaw walahs and Cab walahs. This way we could spread the message that we need better transport alternatives than facing these rowdy rickshaw walahs and cab walahs.

I hope more protestants join the force and get along with this initiative.

Folks,

I will be on a Two week long vaccation to Kerala. It means a good time away from work and a welcome break.

I will publish events as I come across in Kerala. A lot of Pics to be taken and shared.. Watch this space.

At 9.27 my friend was waiting to board local for Church Gate.

The moment the train got on the platform a huge crowd got down on the track to stop the train. After a lot of slogan bashing, all understood that this is a protest against the recent increase in the frequency of trains plying between Church Gate and Virar.

Trains on the slow track were stopped after the group of people refused to allow trains to operate as they were demanding more frequency for locals between Borivali and Churchgate. My friend reported that a few arrests were being made and the GRP is clearing the tracks. This move put others turn violent. Train services affected for most regions include the Borivali – Virar line. There are conflicting reports where some have reported that Fast trains are working as normal, some are reporting that no single train has left the Borivali Station since 9.20 am. The protests started after the announcement made that the 9.10 AM train to Church Gate has been cancelled.

BEST has announced special buses to enable people to travel to Goregaon from where they can catch a train for Church Gate station. People can travel to Goregaon showing their Railway passes. At the time of this post update at 2.00 PM IST, train services continue to be hit.

The whole Western Railway, considered as Posh by many people, is getting crowded by the day and travelling between their homes and work is increasingly painstaking. There are lot of people who went back to their homes, perhaps for the day. People do not want to see these silent protests turn violent. Some people missed important appointments, some may miss their daily wages.

All this is being done in the hope that they would get a quick resolution.

The Mumbai Sub Urban rail transport carries more passengers in a day than any other in the whole world, and have a distinction of being effciently managed one at that (considering the number of people travelling). Western Railway has lesser number of trains plying (local and long distance) than Central Railway. There is a need for effective commuting planing to be implemented.

The protest shows the misery of people and there is a increasing demamd of a easy and confortable travelling experience.