Monday, March 17, 2008

Chennai - Growing Pains?

Back after a visit to the hometown.Hmmm,...i saw a lot of things which didn't really please me. Maybe it is the bane of development. Horrific traffic , roads dug all over, places like T Nagar crowded like hell, construction of fly overs all over the city adding to the traffic woes. The city always known as a small town in the garb of a metro, was really proving to be just that. It is not able to handle the tremendous influx of migrant workers and their families and the sudden spurt in better infrastructure needs. I just wonder how much thought the governing bodies gave to the building of flyovers. Why can't they do it in phases? it is almost like every area in the city has been touched and is non pliable. Usman road especially is a rotten mess, with the crowds for silk saree and jewelery super stores not subsiding a bit. The flyover near the airport is still dragging along, causing a major headache to the scores of fliers commuting. labor and time could have been focussed here as this is more or less the gateway to the city. The airport itself has to improve a lot in terms of access from the plane to the interior lobbies and also passengers service filing in for departure. I was shocked to see the crowds at the airport. It reminded me of kaanum pongal at the Marina! The airport desperately needs expansion and a fresh whiff of beautification, considering the ever rising number of business travelers and tourists. Right now it is immensely clogged and choking to death.On the bright side, the duty free shops with a variety of imported liquor are a welcome addition. :)! Cleanliness also has deteriorated. We have always had trouble areas, but they have increased now. Lack of Civic sense and proper govt. maintained public toilets have made the city one of the largest rest rooms in the country. Political banners, posters and cutouts have besieged the city. I still can't understand the publicity crazed politicians. The once well known green caper in the city has dwindled alarmingly. The most amazing thing I noticed is how once popular restaurants and hangouts are in terrible shape, both ambiance & food wise, thanks to lackluster maintenance. I love local 'kai yendhi bhavans' and fast food stalls, but they have multiplied faster than mosquitoes. Fueling the spurt, are the local wine shops ever brimming with men of all ages right from the crack of dawn. More than the 11pm limit on bars and wine shops, i would prefer say a 'open after 4pm' restriction. This will at least help prevent luring the men from their jobs and necessary daily routines. After maturing over the years from a reckless bike driving college guy to a safe car driving working professional, I realise how much of nuisance, scatter brained, civic sense devoid motorists are. No wonder, a majority of people in the city are suffering from hypertension, stress, respiratory problems and body aches. It is almost like each and everyone is in a hurry somewhere. We should learn from the microscopic brained ants , how to travel in a straight line in order. I know that every city has it's share of woes, but it pains to see the city going downhill. When i was thinking these aloud, many said i was now a spoilt US based brat always looking down upon my country. It is definitely not that. I question why we can't behave like fellow good humans in other better off countries and why we can't emulate our own Indian cities like Hyderabad and Chandigarh which have walked right past us. Hope Chennai's rebellious adolescence phase gets over soon.

2 comments:

Ramya said...

can completely relate to this,i feel this way evertime i go back home(hyd).good writing here!

AGA said...

thx! yeah every Indian city is puffing and panting through development!