CROSSING CHAMBAL RIVER AT 3 AM

CROSSING CHAMBAL RIVER


26 th December 1995  was an extremely  chilled day with day temperature 9 degree C and poor  visibility in the morning till 10 am. We had planned to go to Pune from Faridabad by our new Car as  that was the only option left for us .There was no availability of travel tickets by rail  and air tickets prices were exorbitant. The only other option was to cancel the visit.After lot of discussions  we had planned to go to Pune by car and my wife's sister and her husband were to give us company.We were expecting them to join us in Faridabad in the night so that we can start our adventure early morning after break fast

At about 8 pm a phone rang and I was told by my co-brother that they have dropped the idea of going by car and further he rightly advised that  I should also  drop the idea.  The total distance up to Pune was more than 1400 kms and I knew I alone cannot drive so much. We wanted to go to Pune to attend the first death anniversary of my Father in law and when I told my wife that we are not going she became very emotional and  started shedding many tears . Looking at her, my son also started crying and I thought I must make them happy. I analysed the situation for some time and then suddenly  declared that we will go right now because in the morning there will be fog and we will get delayed.
My sister was in MHOW about 35 kms ahead of  Indore.I was confidant that I can drive 800 kms up to MHOW and from there we can either hire a driver or go by bus so that we definitely reach Pune on 29th morning. My Son who was 12 years old then,had already taken small luggage and loaded it in the car.Wife was in double mind but she agreed and  at 9.15 pm we started our journey from Faridabad
I had studied the road map and as per the distances we would be crossing the Chambal River in the night at about 2.30.or 3 pm. That area was quite dangerous but my logic was  at 3 am all the people in the area must be sleeping and there will be no one who will intercept us in those wee hours when the temperature will be  about 3 or 4 degrees C. Everyone will be in their bed with blankets and Rajai.
We reached outskirts of Agra at 11.30 and a cup of  tea was absolute must to keep myself awake and alert ....so We had our first stop on the crowded "Dhaba". After resuming the driving, by mistake I chose the wrong road.Fortunately I have a good sense of direction  and my internal sensors signaled me that I am going towards east ....so I slowed down. Soon I saw a sign board of Kanpur and Tundla confirming  I was on Calcutta road about 10kms away from Agra .I took the U turn and came back to Agra and then on the AB road.AB road means Agra Bombay road. This small incident had shaken my confidence and for a moment I thought I must abandon the adventure and go back to Faridabad but I shrugged the stupid thought and continued on AB road in absolute darkness. As expected there was not a soul on the empty road except  some trucks or cars. I still had some doubt about the direction .As I was heading towards south, I saw a police post and with full faith on the UP police I stopped and confirmed I was on right road. It was 1.20am then and stopping the car for enquiry was certainly stupid act but at that moment that seemed to me the best course of action. Luckily for me the stinking police inspector was a gentleman and though he noticed my wife and son in the car, he behaved politely.  I thanked almighty and continued the adventure. Just before the Chambal River there was a toll post and after noting my car number I was  charged Rs 7.toll tax for maintenance of the   bridge on the river, which was in a pathetic  shape. At that place they were sending vehicles in a group of 5 or 6 for safety reason .We were therefore  required to wait till  4 more vehicles arrived on the spot.
As we were crossing Chambal bridge I checked the time and it was 2.45 am.  Presumably there were no dacoits around.This notorious area is famous for dacoits and bandit queen Phoolan Devi . I was just looking straight on the tail light of the vehicle ahead and when the car ahead stopped for some obstacle I also slowed down and stopped .I noticed  slight shivering in my hand and I confess that the trembling  was definitely not because of cold but because of  fear of unknown unwarranted situation. The next 1 hour up to Gwalior was very crucial. The next fearful moment was on the railway crossing at 3.40 am and that wait  of 10 minutes appeared to me  more than half hour. After that without any hurdles we reached Gwalior railway station at 4 am.where we were feeling absolutely safe.We had a long halt at Gwalior.The rest of the journey was day driving and was not difficult though jungles of Shivpuri and Guna were infamous for looting and other criminal activities.
After resuming at 6 am we continued our journey on AB road and reached MHOW  in the evening.
Next day morning I purchased tickets of Pune of Volvo bus and reached our destination. I still remember  my wife's face  when we reached Pune and that day onwards I think her faith in me must have doubled. I too was extremely satisfied for keeping my word of taking her to Pune .

Even after so many years I still shiver when I remember the crossing of Chambal river at 3 am.
Since then I never drive in the night while going by car to any  out station place !

------Rajendra Phansalkar

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