Bizarre road signs: Border Roads Organisation takes the cake

By Anoop Chugh, 26/02/2010
Bizarre road signs
On my last trip to McLeodganj my eyes fell upon something that would have infused life into a dead soul.

"Beware of road surprises", read one of the road signs. Road surprises? What the hell is that supposed to mean? The road would take you to a dead end or would end abruptly in a ditch?

Or may be, it would take you to the same place where you had started from, much like Delhi's Ring Road. Of course, with some piece of information to add to your misery, "you have just discovered the world is round". Must say, these PWD (Public Works Department) guys are a funny lot. They keep the humour going, wherever you go.

Why limit ourselves to only two emotions when there are hordes of them? How about something that can arouse and stir up the dying romance in your life. "Be gentle on my curves", are the kind of things that can warm up newly-weds up on their way to honeymoon. The moment your head starts getting ideas there will be a dampener howling, "Make love not war, but nothing while driving". Man! Such a turn-off! Creatively-bent heads can appease their artistic selves with "Hospital ceilings are boring to look at. Avoid accidents"

Surely, PWD believes we can't even wipe-off our ass without making a mess of it. Or, why else would they warn 'Caution: Wet roads during rain'. Surely, even somebody in diaper would know rains make roads wet. What else would they preach us - 'Don't drive sitting in the rear seat', 'If AC ain't working, roll down your windows', or 'breathe out, once you breathe in'.

Whatever little I have travelled, these boards never fail to amaze me. Road signs enthusiasts would unanimously agree that graffiti on hills is much more creative when compared to the other parts of the country.
No doubt the one-liners like "Don't gossip, let him drive" and "Darling I love you, but not so fast" sprinkled all across the Himalayas, add zing to your zeal.

Then there are gems like "Soft shoulder, blind curves, steep grade, big trucks. Good luck!", which send a shiver down your spine and make you smile at the same time. Not everyone can bring out a perfect concoction of fear and laughter.

Border Roads Organisation takes the cake
Did I forget to mention the poets the Border Road Organisation is filled with. Here are some verses that won't put John Keats to shame but at least they rhyme. "Don't dream otherwise you'll scream", "This is a highway not a runway", "Mind your brakes or break your mind", "Do not be rash and end in crash". In fact, it sounds more like the title track of some pseudo rock band. This one surely does, "Drive like hell, and you 'll be there". Take care.
Bizarre road signs