The Bangkokking of Delhi

Line & Length

 From 1998 to 2002, I worked as an economics consultant at the Asian Institute of Transport Development in Delhi, a unique institution in many ways.

 Last month, its director, Mr K L Thapar, asked me to represent the institute at a UN-ESCAP conference in Bangkok. Before I left, he told me some rather hairy stories about the traffic there.

 One of these was about a very senior IAS officer who got stuck in the traffic jam on his way to the airport. He had to hitch a ride on a motorcycle, all the while clutching his precious shopping in one hand and the rider