“We forgot one bag !!” exclamation was heard as we entered home
at H’bad. We had just experienced ‘Chalo Delhi’ movie in real
life! The difference was: in place of Vinay Pathak & Lara Datta, 7 family
members were involved. Luckily someone remembered that taxi could still be
located while getting minor repair done at Chevrolet showroom. Finally bag
could be recovered before taxi left for its original town, Nanded. Bag was at
extreme corner under rear seat. This was sweet end of roller-coaster ride between
Hyderabad and Nasik.
The exciting events of last 2 days were a result of money
making scheme – ‘Tatkal’
of Indian Railways . Tickets were booked months in advance but they remained in
‘waiting list’. It was possibly because tatkal scheme bookings done on previous
day of journey got confirmed. Railway had earned additional charges.
Actually it started like: We, group of 6 family members had
booked tickets 2.5 months in advance. We had also planned to take Shirdi Sai Baba blessings
before reaching to Nasik for marriage. Just 2 hours before boarding the train,
it was noticed that tickets of 2 group members still remained in waiting list
& they had to experience virtual Sai Baba blessings with packed tiffin
& suitcases at respective homes itself.
Pandora’s box had just opened.
We,
the remaining 4 group members bravely boarded the train with RAC (Reservation
Against Cancellation). Strategy was chalked out to kill night with 2 berths
amongst 4 in the group. After few hours, Ticket Checker declared availability
of required 2 additional berths. Big sigh of relief! Luckily our compartment was
also free from other disturbances like snoring co-passengers or noisy children.
Group completed 1st phase of journey &
reached Manmad junction. Waiting room was occupied as there was time for
connecting train. Announcements were going on in background: some were about delays
of other trains too. Thankfully our train was not late. It was fun to explore
various eating options at platform. There was lot of activity at junction:
passenger train, parcel train, goods train, super fast non stopping train etc. Hats off to railway network. In journey time
was passed in overhearing discussion of co-passengers. Hit topic was about
luggage lost from AC compartment near notorious Bhusawal station.
The group reached marriage hall & suddenly the group
leader realized that his proud possession – return ticket - for return journey
also, just connecting train was confirmed & main journey was in waiting
list. Now there remained no option but to bow before tatkal scheme agent. Whopping
distance of 575 km could not be covered by any other means. Buses would have
been very tiring & facility of flights was not available.
Our perfect host understood our helpless situation. Contact
to ‘tatkal agent’ was possible only through host in new city. Group went on
worrying about return journey while enjoying marriage functions. The wedding
eve musical night was about to start & it was realized that the anchor was
running around for tickets with script in his pocket. The performers somehow
covered up the situation & music program still went rocking with small
hitches in between. Marriage is no fun without such tensed moments right?
Finally tatkal agent made tickets available for sleeper
class instead of AC class in some other inaugural train & group which had
current count of 5 instead of 4, reached junction to catch train for main
journey. Again group had good time exploring various stalls at platform while
waiting for train. Some time was spent in sorting clothes available in luggage
to use as make shift bed rolls in sleeper class. Many stall owners were
cautioning that our train had not still gone in upward direction so there was
no question of its in-time return for our boarding. During journey, hawkers always
give exact estimation of delay. The group had ignored these conversations as no
one was ready to believe the worst news. Finally the news bomb exploded &
railway authorities accepted the fact that train schedule was still out of
control.
Luckily there was availability with some other train
‘Nandigram Express’ to reach Nanded. That means at least half the distance to H’bad
would be covered. There were many mobile
call exchanges with family (who were sleeping at respective homes) &
finally it was accepted that this was the best possible option. However, ticket
checker told that our current berths would be occupied at Aurangabad in travel
& he would give some other berths at that time. Since beggars are no
choosers, everyone agreed & hit the berths to catch up on well deserved
sleep to get over tiredness due to marriage. At god forsaken hours in midnight,
berths had to be exchanged. The group somehow managed to do luggage & berth
shifting after recovering from slumber. When we were arranging luggage in new
compartment, some co-passenger who was possibly returning from washroom in half
sleep thought we were fiddling with his luggage. He was deeply embaressed when
he realized that it was a wrong (compartment) number. Journey can be really
crazy sometimes. Once again everyone slept like logs on new berths & at sun
godly hours at 5:30 am, train destination Nanded arrived.
Now it was time to shift in ‘Chevrolet Travera’ taxi &
head towards H’bad. The cab’s driver didn’t
seem to respect any pot hole or speed breakers. The bumpy ride caused some
health problems to the member who had volunteered for rear seat. At Nizamabad,
group took small break to freshen up & seat exchange. Now, perfect highway
(NH 44) was hit after Nizamabad & there was no stoppage except toll gate
till H’bad traffic welcomed us at Medchal.
Finally the group happily reached home. Though the journey
of ‘Chalo Hyderabad’ was completed with many modes of transport, group had
finally reached without losing any luggage or any other major delay.
Such crazy experiences are part of life. The major lesson learnt
this time was: do not to step out of house without confirmed train tickets!
