The Toll Man

Kumar mans the most hectic lane on the NH8 toll booth plaza—one of the world’s busiest plaza in terms of volume of cars per day,seeing 1 lakh cars per day. He works the busiest hours–the day shift. He says he is the fastest operator and is trying to get himself listed in the Limca Book of Records. On his best day,he set a new record,ushering 984 cars to pass in just an hour.

He works eight hours a day and the real challenge starts during rush hour. It’s also the best part of the day for him: rush hour is eased by the sound of music from the loud speakers. The sound travels across the plaza and though its the same track every day,one song instantly picks him up–“shisha ho ya dil ho,aakhir toot jata hai.” Kumar has also noted the fragility of cars and carelessness of drivers. “In their hurry,they sometimes bang into each other,dent the cars in an instant. This is why I want the Hummer,” says Kumar.

For Kumar,this is not just a job,it’s also a guessing game. “I do like clearing the way,making time for people but being able to guess what denomination of notes a driver will give is fun,” he says. Ironically,says Kumar,people in imported cars almost always give smaller rupee notes.

For Kumar,the NH8 is not just another road. It is the path that brought him the option of another way of life. His father,like his grandfather worked the fields but he wants more. “This road has provided me with an exit from a simple life,” he says.

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