I've got a Ticket to Ride

The Metro has come into our backyard!! Well, perhaps not literally, but metaphorically at least. The Noida City Centre station is barely two kilometers from our home; how’s that for progress? This was a long-awaited event and one that seemed forever in coming. But at last-on the already historic day in India’s calendar: November 14-the sleek, shining Metro made its inaugural foray into Delhi’s privileged and neighbouring city.From the next day, it was open to the public.

Looking back, I feel that I’ve always had a soft corner for the Metro, right from my first encounter with it, way back in the nineties. I loved the few times I had the opportunity (more sought and planned than incidental) of taking joy rides in Calcutta: from Tollygunge or Rabindra Sadan to Dum Dum, enjoying the trips immensely, each time, So it was but natural that I welcomed the Metro once it arrived in the national capital, with gusto; but again, the chance to board it had to be painstakingly contrived, as it did not cross even remotely close to all my favourite haunts.

My patience was rewarded at last and I felt inexplicable elation-almost a sense of personal achievement!-when the Metro finally wove its way into our verdant surroundings. Any and everyone who happened to call that day was reminded that s/he should congratulate me and when the poor dear enquired why, s/he was regally enlightened that the tube’s arrival into our city, as well as vicinity, made us deserving recipients of their congratulatory messages. I don’t know how many saw the point but most were courteous enough to comply.

The logical question that played itself out in my mind, next, was how/when would I board this brand new section of the Metro? Having caught glimpses of it circuitously snaking its way parallel to my car, enthralled me, but somehow, try as I might, my plans of personally inaugurating the Noida segment, within the month of its starting, just didn’t seem to be materializing. Not one to give up easily, I kept trying and finally, my efforts bore fruit this morning.

Returning from an early morning drive to Greater Noida, and en route to work, I suddenly had this brainwave that opportunities didn’t always knock on one’s door: one had to create them many times. Instructing the driver to stop at the Sector 18 station, I stepped out of the car and asked him to keep it waiting for me at destination point-the sector 15 Metro station. (Earlier, I had been planning that I would take a ride one day, on my way back from office but the envisioned rush at that crazy hour had made even my stout heart quail.) So this seemed like the perfect time-no crowds, no hassles: seize the moment hissed some inner voice with urgency. Walking up the stairs from the sector 18 market side, I looked at the shops around me as they stood bathed in the early morning, winter mist and after purchasing the ticket for the princely sum of ten rupees, waited on platform number 2. Within a couple of minutes, the familiar train arrived and getting in, I seated myself. It was a thrilling experience, seeing all the familiar landmarks through the unfamiliar mode of transport and before I could say E. Sreeedharan, the Sab Mall and Max hospital appeared, then disappeared from view, giving way to the sector 16 station, where the train stopped. A motley few got in-a smaller number got out-and the train was off again. A slight bend was negotiated next as the Metro dexterously curved inwards, passed Rajnigandha chowk, the familiar T.I.M.E hoarding and chugged along Savoy Suites, then Nirula’s, each vanishing in a trice. So absorbed was I in looking at all these sights, it’s small wonder that I managed to alight at my designated halt and didn't get so carried away as to get over-carried! A short walk across the road, into the waiting car, and off I was to office. Considerably invigorated and, this time, with a real sense of achievement.

I had met my self-imposed deadline of having the Noida Metro experience in November and what's more, the sudden, impulsive nature of the jaunt had made every one of those five, magical minutes truly enjoyable!!