I had aimed to reach the Sri Krishna Oil Mill. Following my knowledge, following the lockdown rules, the oil mill was about to open at 8.30 am and would close even before 10.00 am. So I started my car at 8.15 am so that I could reach there while there was still time.
Starting from Jail Road, I crossed Ibrose Complex and turned towards M. G. Road which was paralysed. The road-widening programme was slowly swallowing the courtyard of the Theology Institute. So the left side of the quadrilateral road was blocked for the vehicles coming from the Lalbagh side. So when I turned right, I saw that the footpath was dug on a newly constructed concrete quadrilateral road right in front of the post office at Kodial bail. Further, the concrete blocks placed on the footpath were turned around, to convert the single drainage system into two (maybe one for rainwater and another for gas, internet, and electric lines). I moved forward and found that at the small road in front of the Ocean Pearl, the final stage of concretisation was in progress and it was a total mess.
Nava Bharath or Govind Pai Circle quadrilateral road was already well ordered, to make it better the road was dug and an ancient well was found there. I wonder how they deal with this discovery, either they may fill it with stones and garbages or close it with fat-layered concrete again.
I rushed towards Dongerkery. Again a huge disappointment was waiting for me where due to concretisation the road opposite to the Canara School was also closed. Then I moved towards the road in front of the Raman Pai Hall and even that was closed in the end. From there I turned towards Venkataramana Temple Road but to no avail as there stood a sign of concretisation.
After all this, with much difficulty, I turned my car towards Vithoba Temple Road. There was heavy traffic on Car Street. however, after all this, I reached Azizuddin Road and turned towards the first cross road. The Zumma Masjid cross road was dug and the installation of the drainage system was in progress. However, there was a small gap for me to pass my car from that place. From there I turned towards Bunder Road again, where I confronted a huge Hitachi, however it was a standstill at that time so I managed to take my car from the small space available.
After all this struggle, I finally reached Sri Krishna Oil Mill where the security guard was already locking the gate as it was already 9. 15 am. When I inquired with the guard he said following the public demand and government guidelines, They had revised the time of operation from morning 7.30 am to 9.00 am and thus asked me to be back the next morning at 7.30 am.
By Ashoka Vardhana
