In the worst traffic jam of its kind, on the busiest trunk route of the country, apparently their strong will helped the commuters overcome the terrible time. With multiple landslides and the lashing rain halting the traffic in its track, the miseries seem to just swell by the minute.

And much like S T Coleridge's verse in the poem, ``Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink,'' hundreds of families stranded in their private vehicles, private and State Transport bus passengers and truckers braved the lashing rain to get sips of water from nearby dhabas and tea kiosks. However, when it came to getting food, it was starvation for long. But as the hours progressed, wada pav and chaiwallas came calling, satiating appetites and simultaneously, making a fast buck.

Travellers apart, life for residents in villages and towns from Dehu Road to Lonavla was equally bad. They were compelled to remain confined to their homes; children bunked school and the bread winners had to stay off their offices. Many had to go without milk and vegetables.

For trader Mohanlal Agarwal, who resides in Dehu Road, it was a forced holiday for his business on July 15. With a seemingly endless line of vehicles, across his house, he had to shut shop. The Dehu Road police station did much more than streamline the traffic that threatened to get nastier as smaller vehicles wanted to overtake and further cause chaos. One of the constables there stated that when the traffic eased just a wee bit by late Thursday evening, they helped passengers stranded in buses heading towards Pune, take lifts in other vehicles. And of course, says the constable with glee, the chaiwallas and wada pav wallas had a field day, indeed!

For the Ajitnath Jain Devasthan Trust located at Talegaon, it was a God-sent opportunity to provide shelter and free meals to commuters who got out of their vehicles for a breather. States Manish, one of the workers there, ``We provided free meals to at least 100 people. Many of them slept through the night of July 15. This morning, many of them left for different places. As this is a dharmashala, we cook food in large quantities, so these unexpected guests were no problem.''

Seema Gopale, a resident of Talegaon, bemoans the July 15 day when her uncle took three and a half hours just to return home in Talegaon from Wadgaon station, about 15 km away.

Jeevan Sonawane, chief officer of the Talegaon-Dabhade Municipal Council, was not personally affected by the traffic jam. However, he says his visitor who started from Mumbai at 6 p m on July 14 reached his office at 7 p m on July 15, and with parched throat.

Hotel Sheetal, quite a landmark at the Wadgaon Phata, was tested to the fullest for its hospitality, on July 15. States Dilip S, the general manager, ``We had 1,500-odd visitors throughout July 15. We were happy to serve them, who looked completely drained of energy after being caught in the traffic jam. We offered them a 15 per cent discount as a special case. This morning, we are stilling have visitors streaming in - at least 400 of them have come by the noon.''

Bhaskarao Dhore, living in Wadgaon Maval, is depressed that he cannot go anywhere - he is having a compulsory holiday. Sunil Dhore, a resident of Wadgaon and the owner of Hotel Shrimaan, has had 500 customers trooping in.

Gulabchand Gadia, a denizen of Kamshet, states: ``Our village road was blocked with vehicles for the whole day on July 15. But today, the police have eased the chaos and so we can at least move about freely. Many vehicle owners parked their vehicles in our village, and slept overnight. They sent other members in the vehicle by local trains.

Bharat Agarwal, corporator of the Lonavla Municipal Council, points out: ``It was the worst traffic choke-up I've ever witnessed. Compounding the woes, Lonavla recorded 25-cm rain in the 24 hours ending 8 a m on July 15 and 20-cm rain in the 24 hours ending July 16. The locals were stranded at home. I was to go to Thane on July 15, but reached Khandala in three hours, so I returned home.''

States activist Deedar singh, a resident of Varsoli, ``The unnecessary long line-up of vehicles is due to the callousness of the Highway Police. Until three years ago, the Wadgaon traffic aid post (TAP) used to have a permanent sign board, stating whether the highway is open or close. This used to be updated every hour. But I have not seen the board, since three years. Yesterday, I heard the sirens of three ambulances during the day and I wondered what happened to them.''

Prakash Ingulkar, residing in Vulvan was hopping mad that his children could not go to school and milk did not reach his home. They had to do without vegetables too.

While Rainbow Retreat, located on the Pune-Mumbai highway, near Vulvan, also had to be on its toes, with unexpected visitors pouring in. Says Sahilesh Sanzgiri, the general manager, ``As many as 1000 people walked in on July 15 mainly for water and to use our toilets. Eight of our rooms were booked, by the affected families. Today, too we had nearly 100 more visitors.''

Some hotels like the high profile Duke's Retreat and Hari International suffered a loss, since no holidayers could make it to the hotel, due to the traffic jam. States T L Jaywant, the general manager, ``The number of people visiting our restaurant dropped considerably. We also suffered from shortage of vegetable, dairy and meat supplies which come from Pune.''

The chikkis too could not be savoured as no one could maneouvre their way to the chikki stalls located in Lonavla's main bazaar. Says a counter salesman of the National Chikki, ``On July 15 and as also today, hardly anybody turned up at our shop. How can they?''

If the Bollywood hero Aamir Khan had seen this madness, he too would have thought twice before crooning the now famous number, Ati kya Khandal! Kya?