Since my first educational trip to New Delhi in 1951, I have witnessed the telephone numbering system change from 5 to 8. Since 2002, they have changed thrice, e.g., fi rst to 2527- 1234, next to 3097-1234, and then to 3297-1234. Also, there are city codes varying from 2 to 4 digits and I wonder whether India will soon start having “village” codes, as each village gets new phone lines.

30 years ago, I saw chaotic traffic congestion problems while entering our village from an interstate highway. I studied the “problem” and I found a possible solution. I submitted the same.

After its implementation, motorists face a traffic jam ONLY when there is an accident. Hence, during my visit to India in January 2003, I thought of a “realizable” solution to the periodic, but troubling changes in India’s telephone coordinates. As I studied the numbers and the changes for the country as a whole, I noticed that all over the digits in city codes and phone numbers total to TEN. Based on this “fact”, I could
immediately come up with a solution. I submitted a new numbering system based on a 10-digit format consisting of 3-digit “area” codes and 7-digit phone numbers. Nobody paid any attention.

Now, after witnessing three changes in phone numbers in a Delhi suburb, I have an “updated” version of my proposed new telephone coordinates. I am sure that Indian experts (with India’s complete picture in view) would be able to improve my proposal to “fit” it better. I will be presenting the proposal in the next issue of COORDINATES. It will have full potential to set India’s telephone coordinates for decades.