The buzzword when I was in Bangalore last summer was “Metro”. My father was enthusiastic about the “namma Metro” project. I too, like most of my fellow Bangaloreans, basked in the joy of being part of such convenience and style. One more jewel in Bangalore’s headdress, I thought.

Gone would be the days of three-wheeled robbery of our hard earned money and the never ending struggle to use decent public transportation. No more would one frown upon just the thought of getting out of the house when images of traffic beyond logic would flash in one’s mind. A perfect answer, it seemed, to an age old puzzle.
But that was last year. This summer, I happened to be in New Delhi for a few days. A resident suggested that I try out their metro system. “You absolutely must take a ride in our Metro, sir”, he said. I frowned, bringing cynicism back into my eyes, since I was certain that in four years of its existence, Delhi Metro would have become a place haunted by the incorrigible lack of civic sense we are infamous for the world over.

The unmistakable hint of human refuse laced with the decorative patterns of paan masala and other colourful outputs we paint our best cities with were sure to greet me into this joyride I was being promised. The moment I began my descent into the Metro station at Rajeev Chowk, I was bracing myself for a nightmare. Or worse.
And then it happened. It was like a roaring fresh water stream in the heart of an intense rainforest. Right there in the middle of the humming interiors of the Delhi Metro, I had an epiphany. India is what it is because of its citizens. If we really want to maintain something well, then we do. If we don’t want to, then we ensure it is abused from all corners.

Delhi’s Metro system is better than England’s Underground tube system (I say this because I have been there too). Those of you who just rolled your eyes at that statement need to head to Delhi sometime and see it for yourself.

Coming from a mad race we call traffic in Bangalore, Delhi Metro seemed like a well choreographed ballet to me. It did not seem to matter how many tens of thousands were travelling at one time since each one of them was paying attention to instructions and following rules. The interiors of the gleaming stations and the trains roaring past patient passengers were clean and pleasant. People were displaying such responsible behaviour that I could do nothing more than cringe at the thought of a similar scene back home.

In all my travels in Bangalore, I have seen nothing but serious traffic violations. Everything from accidents due to rash driving, honk crazy motorists, inconsiderate and impatient four-wheeler drivers, horrific overtaking, lack of helmet use with the police in sight, verbal abuse of people who actually do not follow the rules, irresponsible jay walking and many more!

I smiled in wonder as I could not imagine Bangaloreans behaving in such orderly fashion even if it meant being part of something as grand and global as a well-planned Metro system. Having gotten used to reckless chaos, orderliness could possibly be our biggest challenge.

Bangalore is definitely ready for the Metro… but are Bangaloreans?