Changes

The condition of road surfaces, driving habits, vehicles and driver profiles varies greatly from region to region even in the same state. Although hitchhiking is allowed as in it is not illegal, it is not something which is encouraged. A ride is very rare to get since many hitchhikers actually turn out to be robbers and dacoits who flag down vehicles and loot them. People therefore give hitchhikers the cold shoulder.

Gesturing for a ride will inevitably attract a taxi, bus or the three wheeler auto rickshaw or cycle rickshaw. Rates will vary from region to region.

Probably the only vehicles which may bother to stop and pick up hikers would be long distance trucks. They generally ply between cities or villages. Speeding is common and trucks are often involved in accidents. Drunk driving is also fairly common. If offered a ride on the truck, it is best to humour the driver and helper by engaging in small talk as far as possible. Silence may lead to sullen behaviour and even hostility.

Ticketless travel in trains is common although heavy fines are levied if caught. Also trains are scanned thoroughly for suspicious people and goods given the recent bomb attacks.

Safety cannot be guaranteed. Numerous cases are known where either the hitchhiker or the one who offered the ride resorted even to murder. It is best to keep to low budget conveyances like general class trains.

* [[Delhi]]

* [[Mumbai]] (Bombay)

{{IsIn|Southern Asia}}

[[Category:Southern Asia]]

[[es:India]]