Yeoor

"सुधा भाई ने पाठवले का?" asks a nine-year-old kid as I reach a dead-end on a road in Yeoor.

Acting on orders from the courts, authorities are currently on a demolition drive here, razing illegal structures in the reserve forest. Most such structures (called by the fancy name "farmhouses") are owned by unscrupulous elements through ill-gotten means. Sudha bhai is one such character. Even after being booked under a stringent anti-terror law in the 1990s, Bhai flourished and apparently owns two properties at Yeoor, a tribal hamlet located on a hillock.

Thane has changed over the years and areas surrounding the hill are an integral part of the extended city. Yeoor, with its lush forest, is now a part of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It also serves as the best getaway to the denizens of Thane city, who come here for the peace and tranquility. A narrow tar road with steep gradient leads up to Yeoor with sharp turns along the way which really test your mettle, especially when climbing down.

To get a first-hand experience of the peace and tranquility, I'll recommend a trip to Yeoor any Saturday night. Many owners give their bungalows on hire, which results in night-long parties with high decibel music being played out. By 2 AM, inebriated youngsters park their cars for a few private moments with their partners in the ghat section while the bachelors prove their presence by testing their car audio systems.

However, Sunday morning presents a contrastic picture. Fitness freaks walk up till the airforce station from Pokhran Road No 1 while many others ride up for a game of tennis in a private club house. Local tribal girls go through their regular exercise regimen of walking up till a community tap, queing up for water and walking back.

Many kids like the nine-year-old I encountered roam around playing sundry games (like intimidating strangers) while a group of city-bred youngsters struggles finding their favourite brand of cigarettes at the two pan shops. Probably, the urge for a smoke has compelled them to walk up till the shop in spite of the hangover.

As for the ride, the short ghat in itself was a very fulfilling ride as it has very good gradients. Heavy traffic comprising of cars and the occassional TMT bus compels a cyclist to follow road discipline and you cannot ride zig-zag from one end to other of the road for an easy ascent. However, the fun is shortlived as within ten minutes (and going down till the gear combination 1-2) you are on the plateau.

Fear of getting booked under Official Secrets Act prohibited me from having a short break after the ghat at the airforce station's gate (ok, this ones an exaggeration but the sentry at the gate is really intimidating). Having lots of time on hand, I decided to explore the place on the bike. After 30 minutes, I descended down.

Overall, its a cyclist's delight. Do go there! (I'd decided to cycle up daily, but haven't gotten started yet)