Tick-tock! Tick-tock!

One unfortunate, zombizised morning, not knowing how or where to exhaust my energy, I satiated my wants hopping from one web page to the other—it seemed like the wisest and most creative thought at the moment. All was well; there was one particular image that wired me in—this picture of a running train.  That got me hooked on, and soon, my mind was racing like a wild horse. Soon after, this interesting thought from an I-don’t-really-remember source got me glued: "Something Worth Having Is Something Worth Waiting For."

To many, this might seem nothing short of a string of words; but to most, as eager and curious as myself, it does kind of form a connection. Bangalore was supposed to have its first metro ride inaugurated eons ago, by 2008 as I recall. Instead, commuters are still waiting; not patiently anymore though. Ask them what they have to say, and most like me would just rant and rave about the constant back-to-back delays! There is a limit to how long one’s patience can be put to the test. Construction this, construction that; but where is the promised M-E-T-R-O? I envy the commuters of other cities; they didn't have to wait this long for a much-deserved public convenience. Friends and family back there don’t miss a chance giving me intelligent inputs on how simpler life has become, now with the metro functional. The quality of life has improved a great deal. I guess, things might seem more organized there.

And as for us Bangaloreans? We haven’t set eyes on the long-awaited metro train; but sure have set eyes on the numerous potholes, the dug-out and slushy roads, or should I say, what is left of the roads? The agenda goes something like this: tar the roads, dig the roads, tar the roads. Oh, and then somewhere down the line they realize they forgot to make space for the pipelines. So what do they do? That’s right! They dig. And they tar. If you are fuming already just reading the repetitive language, picture it happening in the flesh and blood! That’s precisely how flustered I feel!

It’s been an endless wait. It’s about time the officials responsible get this thing up and working. For real. No more messing up the city, please. Spare it. One should be nurturing it, not digging it up piece-by-piece. One misses the much-cherished MG Road laden with its bright pink rows of Bougainvilleas. All what’s left now is a colorless and lifeless concrete jungle. It’s a pity! I’m just hoping against hopes the “Namma Metro” is all set to roll out on October 22. This year.