Driving through Maharashtra - An Experience

Driving through Maharashtra during my recent visit to Sani Shingapur and Shirdi was a different kind of Material experience , apart from Spiritual substance. First we drove to Sani Shingapur from Mumbai via Pune and Ahmednagar. Then we drove to Shirdi and on our way back travelled to Mumbai via Nashik. The infrastructure development is great (particularly the Mumbai – Pune express way and the four laning of the Nashik – Mumbai highway).What amused me was the number of toll gates located almost at every 50 to 75 KM’s which were levying varyied amounts of toll fees. The next thing that amused me was the “Village Ahead” signboards almost coming up once every 50 KM’s. The names of these villages would invariably end with Gaon, but you would find atleast one multinational having its factory located at these so called Gaon's. The extent of industrialization which seems widespread across the state is quite discernable. Comparatively AP seems to be far behind – both in Infrastructure development and industrialization. With all the politically motivated challenges currently crippling the State one wonders where we are headed for?