Re: Have you ever been robbed / mugged on a highway? Threads like these are great. Very informative and will caution all the members who drive regularly to different places. I had my fair share of experience which turned out to be a _______ ending. Little long post, read further please.
Me, my wife and kid (2 years) plan to drive to Ghangapur from Hyd in Dec 2019. The plan was to visit Ghangapur, have darshan spend the night there and then move to Narsobawadi (Maharashtra). We drive to Ghangapur, the drive is eventless. Had a good darshan and then I started making enquiries on how to drive to Narsobawadi. The map was a little confusing and no one gave clear directions at the hotel. Worse, many did not even hear the name. I was getting a little restless and told my wife that it would not be advisable to drive ahead as it was close to Pandarpur and the drive was not going to be easy. Instead, I recommended we visit Akkalkot the next morning and then drive back to Hyd directly. Wife agreed immediately.
We start to Akkalkot in the morning around 5 AM. Roads were not great but not bad either. Occasional stretches were bad (really bad) and then there were normal roads. We visit Akkalkot and then start to drive back. Now here is where it all began, half the road back is the same road that we drove through from Ghangapur. When we started back, one of the main roads (state roads) was sealed off with a red tape and a guy wearing a shiny jacket and helmet asked us to take a detour. Without me even asking, he mentioned that road works were being carried out and you need to take another route and then drive from below the bridge to take the road again. Little surprised, I drove into a very kacha road and Google maps drew a blank after 5 kms. I was not sure as to how a road which we drove through would suddenly be sealed for some repairs.
I have no idea now, we are right in the middle of some fields and there are crops grown to the height of a truck (this was in Dec). I can see a small culvert and a very shabby road right underneath it. My wife pointed out that this could be the road the guy was recommending. Still not aware of how things could transpire, I reverse my car and try to take the culvert but am not at all confident of taking that route as it looked very secluded and among fields. No one around, it was like you could hear your heartbeat. All of a sudden a Verna comes our route and then the driver happily takes the road under the culvert. I gain some confidence and then slowly try to drive down. The road was not in great shape with weeds all grown in between the road. I try to balance my car and drive. After a kilometer, I don't see the Verna, nor any other vehicle. I try to stay calm but I could see myself shivering as I had my wife and a young kid on board. This could be a perfect opportunity for someone to rob, steal or worse even kill.
My wife keeps assuring me that it is alright, go on. I drive slowly at around 20 kmph and then see a railway track. I could also see a passage underneath. I started breathing normally and then drove towards the passage hoping to see a village or a road after that. To my utter shock, it turned out to be a passage which could allow an auto to the max. My pulse started racing again and I was getting very restless. My wife keeps assuring me that everything will be alright. I take a left and continue on the kacha road. After a couple of kms, I see another under passage. I approach it praying real hard that it should have room for my car to pass. And voila, it did. I enter the passage which is all about 50 feet in length and when I try to exit, it had a steep drop, it looked like a plateau which had a sharp drop. I see a Toofan approaching with some people in it. I stop the guy by signaling, he stops and I see the vehicle is full of guys between the age of 25 to 35 (around 7 to 8 of them). I ask him if there is a village ahead and he says, there is no point in driving ahead, you should continue to take the kacha road for a few more kms and then you will hit the main road. I was fed up, very frustrated but had my mind working. For some reason, I did not want to look at the maps but heard my instinct. I told him that I cannot do a reverse now (there was literally little space), I will drive ahead and test my luck. This is where the guy seemed furious and started reacting as if I am not heeding his advise. I took the sharp drop (my car luckily had pretty decent gc) and ended up without scraping the underbelly.
I drive for around a kilometer and I saw the scene of some shacks and huts. I was so relieved, I thanked my Gods and drove on. I could see a small bus station and drove through and with some directions hit the state way again.
Completely unaware of what had happened, we drove on. We reach Hyd and I get back to office. Someone in the office asked me how the trip was and I replied that it was ok but had a little trouble with finding the right route in the middle and explained him the incident. He froze for a second and told me that it was a perfect plot which I had fallen into to rob people on that route. I was shocked and could not react for a while. I called my wife and told her about the conversation, she too was shocked. I was with my wife and a young kid and imagining a vehicle filled with guys who want to rob you or someone who could have stopped you and done something untoward just took my sleep away for a few days. From then on, I have promised myself that I will not drive through areas that are remote or do not have basic facilities like a fuel station, hotel or proper roads. Guys, please stay safe while driving with your family. Have at least one local number available just in case of any inconvenience. Small detours which save 5 or 10 mins could end up causing real trouble. Happy driving. |