Long time ago, great economist and U S ambassador to India John Kenneth Galbriath used a phrase ‘functioning anarchy’ to describe the way Bihar was being run. It meant blatant inability of the government and administration to uphold the law and the amazing ability of the rich, powerful, and even ordinary muscleman to ridicule the law and dare the law-enforcement officers to have their way. This holds true for Ludhiana’s traffic as well.

Thousands of auto-rickshaws spewing smoke and making deafening noise run without any valid licence, arbitrarily stop in the middle of the road and turn in any direction they like.

Overloaded rickety buses too enjoy the freedom to an extent to load passengers at any point in the city. And if traffic lights are not functioning, then one can see a free-for-all situation. You are a witness to the utter helplessness of the poor harassed traffic policeman, who nobody seems to listen to.

During night, you notice a large number of trucks and tractor — trollies plying without any rear lights. The Law be damned!!

Wide roads seem to be meant only for vehicles with no space for pedestrians.

In the inner lanes of the city, private vehicles are parked on the roadside and are often washed there. Markets such as Chaura Bazar are encroached to its saturation point as anti-encroachment drives have become mere cosmetic exercises.

Another instance of public mockery of the Municipal Corporation's authority takes the cake. The MC had installed hoardings to display directions and names of roads for the convenience of commuters. Now, most of these structures have been grabbed by self-proclaiming pictures of political leaders causing considerable difficulties to outsiders.

And what is the Municipal Corporation doing? It is common knowledge that the inability or casualness of the corporation becomes a great contributory factor that encourages the law breaker and demoralises the law-abiding citizen.

On the top of it, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister's frequent visits with cavalcades of security vehicles topple the city.

Why can't things be under reasonable control and regulation in Ludhiana? Why do a section of people routinely dare traffic policemen with “Do you know who I am” kind of audacity? Why is it that on the other hand, a vast majority tends to feel so despondent and helpless?