Tip tip Barsa Pani....

Looks like the monsoons have finally arrived in Delhi to give us some respite from the heat. The amount of rains that we are getting are probably just 10% of the actual amount, but the Met department is announcing the arrival of monsoons through all means, except maybe shouting from rooftops. Well, I don't blame them. The poor chaps finally got one prediction right in god knows how many years. So it's only natural that they are super excited.

Like every resident of Delhi, I was also extremely happy and relieved to hear the rain drops falling outside my house on Sunday. It rained for more than 5 hours on Sunday night, and continued to rain on and off throughout the week. But, what happens after it rains? Everybody knows the answer to this question because the situations faced by the people are not a one time thing, but an annual occurrence. Traffic jams, water logging, pot holes etc. Each year, right before the monsoon season sets in, we hear the MCD personnel declaring confidently in print media and even in front of news channels that WE ARE READY FOR THE MONSOONS!!! It seems as if they are challenging the gods to Bring 'em on. So, I would like to question the readiness of the MCD, and the Delhi government by putting forward a few questions about the state of affairs.

Q1. Is Delhi still living in the Dark Ages, or is it just by sheer coincidence that we are probably the only country, I guess in the whole world, that has not heard about drainage systems? What did I just hear, that Delhi has a drainage system!!! Then why, after just minimal amount of rain do our roads give the impression that its been raining for days? There is water logging on every road, in every underpass, even in the metro stations, and in the subways!!

Q2. What material is used to build the Delhi roads? As far as I remember, the most common raw materials used are coal tar and gravel. But, it looks like the authorities here use sand to construct roads. How else can we explain the emergence of new pot holes, bumps, and gaddhas on the roads, immediately after the showers? After all, it's not like it's raining pebbles or bricks, it's mere water that's coming down from the sky. I fail to understand, how can weightless drops of H2O have the power to break things like stones?

Q3. Dudes, what is the deal with monsoons and digging? Why is it that as soon as the weather officials announce the arrival of the rains, we suddenly see a spike (a significant growth) in the amount of digging going on in virtually every part of the city? It maybe argued that it's the work being done for the upcoming Commonwealth games, but that is just this year. What about all the previous times when the same thing has happened? The monsoons stay in Delhi for hardly 2-3 months. You have rest of the 10 months to carry out maintenance work, or just dig for fun. Then why this season?? What sadistic pleasure do you get by watching people wade through keechad, and muddy water?

I know there are no answers for these questions, but what's the harm in asking them?

Ciao