Page 761 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

TR A VEL INFORM A TION  759

common in small towns and
around railway stations,
and offer leisurely rides. In
Rajasthan, camel carts are
also available – they offer a
novel, if jerky, journey.
Jeeps and vans can be hired
from cities (see p755) for short
trips to explore the environs and
neighbouring towns. They are
also the main form of transport
in Ladakh. Jeeps are also the
best way of exploring the hills.
Many areas have shared jeep
taxis, which work out cheaper
than private jeeps. A flat rate is
usually charged, which includes
Motorcycle taxis, a convenient way of getting around in Goa any tolls en route. Private cars
are not allowed in certain hill
the rush hour is best avoided. their environs is by motorcycle towns, where the easiest options
Women should use the “ladies or bicycle. In Goa, motorcycle are to hire cycle-rickshaws or to
only” compartments. There are taxis are distinguished by their explore the area on foot.
three main lines, the most yellow mudguards and number
popular of which leaves from plates, and are available every- Road Names
Churchgate and goes past where. If you prefer to travel
Mumbai Central and Andheri. independently, motor cycles are In most cities, especially in the
In Chennai, the surburban also available for hire on a daily four main cities, many roads that
trains offer fast connections basis. Towns such as Puducherry, were named after Raj-era figures,
from Egmore to Central Station Hampi, Belur and Halebid, can have been renamed after well-
or George Town, and, also to be explored by bicycle, available known Indian and inter national
Guindy or the airport. for rent at reasonable rates. figures. This might cause some
India’s first underground metro confusion, as maps often carry
railway is in Kolkata. Limited the newer names, while locals
routes in the northern and Other Modes of usually refer to the road by the
Transport
southern sectors are open, and old name. When in doubt, it is
the lines are still being extended. Other transport options include best to ask two or three people,
The network consists of one minibuses, cycle-rickshaws and and cross-check the directions
operational line (Line 1) and one e-rickshaws. Cycle-rickshaws are that you are given. Maps on
under construction (Line 2), with a popular and practical means mobile phones such as Google
four lines in various stages of of transport to traverse the Maps and other GPS maps are
planning. The service is clean and congested pockets of the old also useful options.
efficient, and trains run between quarters of cities.
7am and 10pm every day. The They are more
main stations are situated plentiful in smaller
opposite the Oberoi Grand and towns, where they
near Dr M Ishaque Road. Certain can easily manoeuvre
sections of Chennai’s local through narrow
above-ground trains, the Mass bylanes and galis.
Rapid Transit System (MRTS), are It is best to negotiate
operational, while Delhi’s metro rates in advance,
has six lines running through the though some of
city to neighbouring centres like them may have a flat
Gurgaon and Noida. The third rate for fixed routes.
and fourth phases of the Delhi Tempos are battery-
Metro will introduce the powered wagon-like
Magenta Line and the Brown vehicles, equipped
Line and several extensions that with seats in the rear
should be operational in 2017 half. Uncomfortable
and 2021 respectively. and overcrowded,
they charge flat
rates for fixed routes.
Motorcycles and Bicycles Horse-drawn
Often the best way to explore carriages (tongas or People sharing a jeep ride on a highway, a common sight
smaller towns and cities and ikkas) are also very across the country

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