ROADTRIP: Jamshedpur-Ludhaina-6

In the excitement of having escaped from paying any bribe at the Bihar entry point, we have totally forgotten about our lunch on Day 2.

We passed the second toll gate at Sawkala after paying Rs.210 as fee around 2.30 p.m. The traffic flow was normal - noticed several tarpaulined trucks of DARCL (earlier known as Delhi Assam Road Carriers) in the opposite direction.
But in per centage terms, the car carriers was very high with OSL dominating the scenario.

Close to 5 p.m., we slipped through toll gate 3 at Sasaram (Rs.165). Earlier in the day, we crossed Gaya, 65 km before Sasaram. Three days ago, I had passed through these landmarks in a train from Delhi.

Benares or Varanasi, I was told, would come about in another 100 km. What are the chances of witnessing the sacred city in daylight? No chance, said Pandeyji. It would be dark because Benares is in Uttar Pradesh and the chances of being "waylaid" by RTOs and Traffic Inspectors are considered very high.

By dark, we exited Bihar and entered Uttar Pradesh. Perhaps the shortest duration we had spent on Bihar soil. The Uttar Pradesh stretch would be a long one, I heard Pervez telling no one in particular.

In a few kilometres, we would be moving away from the pucca 4-lane NH2 and move into state highway which according to Pandeyji was nothing to write home about. I was feeling a bit low.

Quietly our trailer moved away from NH2 and entered a service lane in utter darkness. We got out and Pandeyji led us to the makeshift hut where we were greeted with "namaste". Pandeyji handed over the truck papers to the young lad who for a fee would get the entry permit.

All commercial vehicles have to fill up a form, solemnly affirm that the goods being carried are not for sale in Uttar Pradesh and thereby need not pay commercial tax levied by the state government. Besides, the fleet driver/company has to indicate his route plan as he plans to traverse through Uttar Pradesh and specifically state which paprticular border checkpost he would use to exit Uttar Pradesh.

Usually, the drivers get a 4-day permit given the fact that our truck has to reach Punjab through Haryana. The young lad, who is well versed in these matters swiftly filled in the forms on his own, exited. While waiting for his return, we entertained ourselves with a hot cuppa tea brought in by his assistant.

The hut had a long wooden cut and two hurricane lamps,burning brightly. Mosquites buzzed feverishly around my ears. Remembered that I should have carried Odomos, the mosquito repellant, which my spouse had packed into my bag when I left Delhi. It ought to be in the bag, I told myself.

Soon, the young lad reappeared and handed over the paper with the offical "chappa". He grandly announced that we got 4 days to exit Uttar Pradesh. Do we really need 4 days? I asked Pandeyji.

Two and half a days is more than sufficient. But, who knows. If there is a hartal or road blockade due to any reason, we would be stuck on the highways. It is a precautionary measure. What if, still we are unable to exit within the prescribed 4 days time limit? "Then, we have to seek fresh permission for additional day and give reasons for delay," he explained.

After compensating the young lad, Pandeyji enquired about "road vultures" en route. He was told "nothign to worry" because RTOs don't roam in the nights in UP. Maybe, we may bump into Traffic Inspectors.

But as luck would have it, within 30 minutes, a commercial tax jeep halted us in the middle of the road. Pandeyji jumped out with relevant papers and after scrutiny, we were permitted to proceed. "We were clean," boasted he.

We crossed Benares toll gate (fourth since we entered NH2) after paying Rs.165 as fee. We began to see the din and bustle of Benares from the distance around 8 p.m.

Once again, hunger pangs began. All of us were hungry no doubt. Unfortunately, I could not even sight the sacred Ganges from a moving vehicle.

Suddenly, there was a call to Pandeyji and the caller was the 'young lad'. He hinted that we would have to meet a traffic inspector before we exit NH2 into NH56 which connects Benares with Lucknow where we are headed.

Every few minutes, Pandeyji was getting calls on the possible whereabouts of the prospective bribe-taker!

Nothing happened. No vulture sprang and we moved into NH 56. Bloody, the name is National Highway. But it was like NH33 - two lanes through villages and towns.

Around 9.30 p.m. I think Pandeyji also felt hungry and decided to halt at Dhaniamou, 25 kms before Jaunpur. It was pitch dark.

We got out after parking the trailer on the roadside - leaving sufficient room for both way traffic to proceed unhindered! A mammoth task, indeed.

We sat down for "dinner" in an unlit dhaba where half a dozen other drivers were already eagerly gobbling up their food.

We settled for tandoori roti, dal, salad and dahi.

It was very cold. For the second night, I tucked into the lower berth, borrowed an extra blanket from Pervez and dived into deep sleep.

Pandeyji causually indicated that we had covered 754 km since leaving Jamshedpur the previous day.

Another 900 km to cover. Uff.

(To be continued)