The Mumbai Twitterari have demonstrated once again, the power of social media in times of crisis. Even as the city grinds to a halt and taxis and auto rickshaws stop plying, stranded commuters are being given a lifeline via the Twitter hashtag #CarpoolMumbai.
Getty Images
The tag is being used by concerned Mumbaikars with private vehicles who are willing to give people lifts, as well as by stranded commuters who need lifts. A few sample tweets are given below:
My dads moving around in the car between Khar, Bandra and Santacruz to help anyone stuck. Let me know if help needed… #carpoolmumbai
— Divisha (@Divisha_DD) नवम्बर 17, 2012
For everyone stuck in Mumbai right now, using #carpoolmumbai could get you home. Please RT
— Suresh Mathew (@SureshM_) नवम्बर 17, 2012
My sister is stuck somewhere near wadala, if anyone going towards goregaon can drop her…please.. #carpoolmumbai #khaaliseat
— Suyash Kotian (@ManagementKeeda) नवम्बर 17, 2012
#carpoolmumbai need to go to chembur urgently. Please please please help
— Tejasvi Paramkusam (@SideDoorGirl) नवम्बर 17, 2012
A live google document with details of those willing to offer lifts is available here.
A similar initaitive was carried out in the wake of the July 2011 bombings in Mumbai, when Twitterati took each other home and offered strangers food and lodging as public transport ground to a halt.
As Firstpost editor Anant Rangaswami said earlier, “The positive use of SMS and social media yesterday, was yet another example of how it might be a good idea for the government and various departments to figure out how these tools can be used for the greater good”.
