How would you feel if you are stuck somewhere and you have no space to move forward or backward or even there is not much space to walk. Today, I know how it feels as I experienced it by myself. It feels awful and helpless and like you are trapped in a game where there is no way out. Brain doesn’t work properly as there are no more options and as a result, you start feeling irritated and hating every other person on your way as if its all their fault. Traffic and roadblocks are normal in my city but I never experienced such worst traffic jam in my whole life which I encountered today.
I used to think that motorbikes are one of those transports which finds their way even there is too much of traffic or roadblocks, can easily switch roads or pass through narrow spaces, it takes you away from these hurdles but not today. it pushed me to think that we need to upgrade ourselves and with our new technology, we need to find a way out in order to get rid of these traffic jams, hoping to get wings on our bikes or some teleportation services and why not, our scientists and inventors have done so much of research and we are unable to do such things which we show in our movies, everything is possible so I just hope that I can see all that in my lifetime instead of what I saw today.
My colleague used to give me pick and drop services on his bike, as usual I woke up late but luckily got ready on time and he picked me from my home as every other normal day. I always think of watching news before going out but always miss it so today as well, without watching news, we headed to our office. Our office is in industrial area and is intersected by a river. There are only three routes to get to our office. Halfway, we saw one of the route was closed for the traffic. We immediately changed our track and followed the second route. For last couple of days, there was some construction work going on, making a bridge, so we thought it was closed for that reason.
Halfway on other track, it was all smooth suddenly we saw that everything was stuck ahead. We took another left, we were still unaware of the reality and was thinking to get pass through everything because we are on a bike. Few meters more and then we didn’t find a way out of that place. We got some space and then we parked our bike to get some fresh air. There was a bunch of bikes and everyone was busy on their cell phones informing others and their bosses of this situation. Me too, took some pictures and shared with my boss, called my team and they were all stuck, couple of them went to sea view as they didn’t find a way to our office. One of them returned to home. I asked them to stay wherever they are and wait for my call. I was stuck and I don’t want them to get the same feeling. My boss responded that take alternate route which is the third one but it was far away from us plus we are unable to go back as it was blocked too. This place turned into a picnic point. Here, we came to know that main route was blocked due to overflow of river.
Worst situation, we all were looking at that bridge which we have to cross and which was filled with cars, trucks, bikes and people trying to walk but not getting spaces, it was full packed and not a single thing moving. We waited there for half an hour or so and then decided to move forward, little by little. We encouraged each other and started moving. Just few steps and then again we were frozen. Now, it was getting hot as clouds moved away from Sun. Too much of sweating, congestion, pollution. We all are fighters lol it was now 2.5 km left to our office but it looks like 250 km.
Time was ticking fast and we were still at the same place for last one hour. I was worried because my department was empty as there was no one to attend the calls or emails and I knew that customers will be waiting for our responses. So, I decided to walk to my office. My colleague cum friend, asked me to think twice before moving because Sun was hitting hard and it is not easy to walk through all that path to office, its all jammed due to which it is even difficult to walk through that road. I made my decision and started walking, I thought of taking pictures on my way too but I didn’t get time for that or you can say I became so numb. My cloths and glasses, everything wet due to sweating. I kept on moving without taking any break or pause. Honestly, I felt little dizzy and my head was circling at one time but I strengthen myself up and kept walking steadily. It took me half an hour to cross that bridge and reach to the nearest roundabout from our office. OMG!!! it looks so messed up, no one knows where to go or what they are doing, just pulling and pushing each other. Police and rangers were trying to help and make roads clear but no one listening to anyone. I took the sideway and skipped from there as early as I could and finally reached office.
WOW other staff who reached taking third route welcomed me and were amazed to hear that I came all the way by walking. I used to walk a lot but I did today after a long time, I felt proud that I can still walk that much. My fellow colleague who was stuck in the traffic reached office after 45 mins. Everyone praised me for my dedication and sincerity towards my work. Walking was not easy because people were coming from everywhere and there was no wall on that bridge, pushing and running. However, I managed to clear my walking test. It was such a worst nightmare, unexpected and never thought of it but from now on, we will be very careful in selecting alternate routes.
While coming back home, we didn’t leave office at 6 because we knew it will get jam again. We waited at office and watched the route to get cleared through Google Maps. Once we observed that it is normal, we left office. We got late but its ok, we don’t wanna get stuck in traffic once again. It was looking a wonderful evening sunset, clouds were having orange shade and full blackish. I tried to capture the moment in moving bike but was unsuccessful, took some pictures but not looks good, the real scene was amazing. It was a hectic day and full of hard work and we get to learn few things. I hope we apply precautionary measures after today’s incident.
All above pictures are taken by me through my cell phone Moto E4 except one which is from Google Map and which shows how much I walked today.