Change Delhi Change!!

It’s nice to see the latest concern of our honorable Minister about Delhi. Its really great to feel and imagine that the culture of Delhi and its style can change in 1 years time. What has happened for last 20-30 years, our minister feel can be un-done in just 1 year and suddenly Delhi-ites become different and Delhi becomes an International city. There are few questions to be asked is that in which International city you will find:

• Roads as in Delhi – even surface of moon is better
• Frequent Power and water shortages
• Parking on roads
• No evidence of lane driving
• Erratic street lights
• Flooded streets with few showers
• Animals on roads
• Absurd chaos in front of railway stations
• So much honking
• Un-planned traffic
• Untrained cops to "manage" traffic
• Chaos at latest toll plazas
• Trucks, carts, tractors and so much variety on roads
• No control on number of vehicles on road
• Getting license without knowing how to drive

Delhi has almost reach a point of no-return for the chaos it has and it’s likely to be increased in future. Experts feel that just in couple of years, traffic would almost stop on roads of Delhi. It requires herculean effort to bring some sense to the city. It requires huge investment in training people on basics of life. It has to start from schools, communities, households, colleges etc. Every where you have to create the need to change à change for better.

Government has to play pivotal role in bringing this change through education. How can you make people change in days; there is no humility; no care for others; every one is just wanting to win a race. It requires mind-set change and it requires very tough decisions beyond political mileages.

Most of our ministers and govt senior staff visits other countries and enjoy the goodness there; but hardly anyone takes pain to start some change. E.g Internationally all vehicles must have both side view mirror in cars and 4-wheelers. Here in India, more than half of the vehicles don’t even have the basic left rear-view mirror fitted. In case of lane change you need to check 6 points before you can change the lane; but I am not sure whether the people creating rules also know about these international basic driving rules. Honking in other countries is almost like shouting or yelling at someone and is rarely heard. In India, it’s a necessity.

As a challenge, our honorable minister can try to improve the chaos in front of New Delhi Railway station- Paharganj side in next 1 month. He has power to do it – lets see if he has intention and will and desire to do it.

Talking big is easy – but doing something is difficult ( its surprising that it looks so difficult for the people in power too).

If you really want to see a change in Delhi in 3 years; you have to start now. Involve people from various departments- Indian consultants who are doing excellent job globally. But first have a will, and be ready to take tough calls!

Are you ready ?