Page 757 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  755

heavy fine. Parking attendants
should hand you a parking slip,
with the parking charges printed
on it. Charges are usually
between ₹20 and ₹50.

Green Travel
Ranging from hostels to luxury
hotels, green lodging options
can be found in all budgets.
Earth-friendly transportation
options such as biking, walking
and using public transport are
often cheaper than renting a
A typical petrol station on the side of a Delhi highway cab. Metro systems provide
a fast, clean and eco-friendly
Fuel
happy to help. Google Maps and way of getting around various
Highways and main roads have GPS on phones also offer a great cities. Opt for CNG buses
well-maintained filling stations way to find your destination. that offer city tours. All auto-
(or petrol pumps, as they are rickshaws and yellow-top taxis
called) at regular intervals, Rules of the Road painted with a green line use
usually closer to towns. Many CNG-propelled engines.
pumps in cities as well as on If you plan to drive in India,
highways are open 24 hours, you need to ensure that you DIRECTORY
and carry both leaded and are well accustomed to the
unleaded petrol, as well as diesel, chaotic traffic conditions. Automobile
which is cheaper. Most cars run Though there are established Asso ciation of India
on petrol, though some of the traffic rules, such as lane driving Chennai
newer models also use diesel, as and discreet use of high-beam AA South India, 187 Anna Salai.
do most taxis. Unleaded petrol lights, more often than not Tel (044) 2852 1162.
is not available everywhere, these are not followed. Vehicles ∑ pppindia.com/aasi
especially in remote areas, so drive on the left-hand side of Delhi
ensure that your fuel tank is full the road, but often, you will AA of Upper India, C–8
when visiting these areas. Many find a stray car – or cow, for Qutab Institutional Area.
petrol pumps in the main cities that matter – coming at you Tel (011) 2661 1034. ∑ aaui.org
are now equipped with utility on the wrong side of the road. Kolkata
stores, where mineral water, soft On the highways, beware of AA of Eastern India, CG 147,
drinks, magazines and snacks trucks, which often use muscle Sector 2, Salt Lake.
Tel (033) 2486 5131.
are sold. Often they also have power to force you off the road ∑ uraaei.org
telephone booths and toilets. while overtaking. As a rule, stay
Since 2001, most taxis, auto- clear of buses and trucks. Mumbai
Western India AA, Lalji Narainji
rickshaws and buses in Delhi Few drivers adhere to the rules Memorial Bldg, 76 Veer Nariman
and Mumbai are being run for overtaking, which is meant Rd. Tel (022) 2204 1085.
on CNG (Compressed Natural to be from the right. Many ∑ wiaaindia.com
Gas) in an effort to tackle the vehicles often overtake from
severe air pollution caused by the left, with no prior warning. Car Rentals
vehicular emissions. Avoid night driving on highways Autoriders International
unless absolutely necessary, as Limited
a lot of heavy traffic (especially RJF-16, Jaipur Rd Samalka,
Maps and Road Signs trucks) use them then. Also, never New Delhi. Tel (011) 4545 0000.
The Automobile Association offer lifts to strangers, as this Tel (011) 4545 0000, Mumbai &
of India, the Survey of India could be very dangerous. It Chennai. ∑ autoriders.in
and the State Tourism offices is wise to make liberal use of Avis
provide good maps, brochures your horn. If you are unlucky Tel (0124) 472 4850, 1860 500
and information on all enough to be caught speeding, 0999. ∑ avis.co.in
cities and regions in India. or jumping a red light, a fine is Ola Cabs
However, the placement of payable on the spot. ∑ olacabs.com
road signs is often erratic, In cities, ensure that your car Uber
and at times they are in the is parked only in an authorized ∑ uber.com
regional language rather than parking area, otherwise it may Zoomcar
English. It is fine to stop and be towed away to the nearest Tel (080) 3301 3371.
ask for directions, repeatedly if police station, and released ∑ zoomcar.com
necessary – people are always only on the payment of a

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