e were returning to Chandigarh after a friend's birthday bash at a beer café in Panchkula. We had conveniently forgotten that drinking and driving is an offence. Suddenly, without much warning or deliberation, our friend who was driving took a detour that would add an additional four kilometers to our journey. "I just received an update that there's a 'drunk driving naka' ahead on this road," he causally informed us. This timely information proved accurate and saved us from being fined. But who told him about the 'naka' and what were his sources? "Humne apne jaasoos sheher ke kone kone mein faila rakhe hain (We've our detectives in every nook and corner of the city...)," he smirked, before revealing to us the details of a group called 'Chandigarh Info' on WhatsApp where they share information about such nakas.
This group has helped smart youngsters avoid chaotic traffic and even police 'chalans'. Though Whatsapp is similar to any other group-chat application, the difference is that the number of members in a Whatsapp group is restricted to 50. They can share information through texts, voice messages, photos, videos, audios etc. The founder of the group, 26-year old Rhydham Aggarwal, who works as a senior marketing official, says, "The idea behind this group was to skip nakas, especially the 'Overspeed' and the 'Drunk Driving' ones. Most of the members in the group are marketing people who they keep traveling in the city throughout the day. As soon as any of the members come across any such naka, they update it on the group so that the information can help other members to stay safe if they have consumed liquor above permissible limit."
 | Of late, the Chandigarh Police has been tightening its grip over drunk driving and has been carrying various drives. Most of these police checks take place in the evening. Interestingly enough, this has affected the pattern of liquor consumption in the city, with the result that more and more people are opting for beer over other forms of alcohol.  |
Of late, the Chandigarh Police has been tightening its grip over drunk driving and has been carrying various drives to make it a safer city. Most of these police checks take place in the evening. Interestingly enough, this has affected the pattern of liquor consumption in the city, with the result that more and more people are opting for beer over other forms of alcohol. Sale of beer has increased significantly over the past couple of months. Suraj Partap Singh Sidhu, Managinig Partner, Ooze beer café, says, "The alcohol content in whiskey or other liquors is more than 40% whereas in beer it accounts 3.7%-8%. This is the main reason why people are switching from whiskey to beer during day time as you can enjoy your glass of beer without the worry of being caught at a naka. The beer market is increasing at the rate of 200%."
Others, though, believe that this is simply a misconception. "Yes, the sale of beer during the day has increased. But just because the alcohol content in beer is less, doesn't mean that this will decrease one's chances of being caught. People consume beer in larger quantity than whiskey or other alcohols also because it is affordable and is ready to drink. You don't have to look for seltzers or mixes," adds the store keeper of a Liquor Wine and Beer Shop in sector 30. Reaching home safely without attracting fines remains the top priority and such groups definitely come of help. So the next time you receive a message, don't ignore it as it may save you well in time!
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