Simplifying The Daily Existence

This might sound shocking to some of you, but to me it makes perfect sense. The recent wave of anguish and helplessness among people and their attempts to protect the women of Delhi got me started thinking if there was a place that could be considered safe within the capital region. Come to think of it, women have been groped, molested, raped, and murdered within their homes, offices, public parks, and upmarket hang-outs. What does this suggest? Firstly, we, as a city, should stop priding ourselves on living in the capital of India. A city that has its soul bloodied with women and minor girls on an everyday basis just cannot be projected as the seat of political or financial might. On that note, I would also like to add that we, as a nation, shouldn't be too gung-ho about Democracy.

We have manipulated and shamed every constitutional right, and a country that cannot even respect its soldiers should keep its mouth shut and not roar about being the biggest Democracy. Coming back to this discussion, it emerged that the Delhi Metro was perhaps the only place in the city that can be officially termed "safe" for women, i.e., the front bogie reserved for female commuters. The story can take an ugly turn in the general bogies, but so far, the Metro has managed a reasonably impressive record. Thanks to the combined strength of fellow women passengers, absence of threats (men) and strict penalties on those who try to force their way in with the typical, 'Chalta Hai' attitude, the women's bogie of the Delhi Metro is at least one spot in the city where a lady can be forgiven for thinking that she is living in the capital of a behemoth, billion-people nation. 

Updated on January 29th, 2018

Just saw the brave women and men recognized for their courage at the 26th January parade in New Delhi. Just makes me wonder that if half of us started fighting back, the entire mob of idiots who assume us for ready victims, break the law jokingly, and scoff at the system that rules us, things would be a lot better. When you see a woman being harassed at work or in public transit, do you try to get involved or at least try to polarize others towards the event so that someone can intervene and save the day? There are superheroes; we have to look out for each other...this is not some emotionally-ridden thought for the day, but the sad reality that we just don't accept.

The Metro continues to serve the city without grudges or any discrimination. Its services have been diversified and amplified to ensure that Delhi Metro riders are further comforted. However, something is missing in all that is being planned for the Delhi Metro. I have a recommendation, and I guess it does make some serious sense. There are a lot of folks like me who use the Metro for traveling daily, from the city to the NCR.

Luxury-class ticketed, higher-fare express route services make sense

Despite the great connectivity, the sheer volume of passengers and the interchange takes a serious toll on the comfort factor, often leaving the commuters gasping for breath. I want to propose an Express Line. This service could be run just three or four times a day from major city pick-up locations, straight to the NCR drop points without stopping in between. Such a service cannot be run during the high-traffic hours. It would only be feasible towards the earliest of hours when the Delhi Metro commences its services for the day, and maybe just once or twice more during the course of the day. Once the daily NCR commuters know of such a service, they and their workplaces would ensure that it is used to their benefit. The Metro, too, can benefit from it by charging a premium amount for an exclusive service.