Controversial barricades opened for public

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

After 18-odd days, the Government Railway Police (GRP), today withdrew the decision of a separate lane earmarked for the VVIP’s at the city railway station.

During a visit to the station this morning, it was found that nor any GRP personnel were deployed at the barricades installed near the diversion on the premises, nor any checking was conducted on the entry of vehicles on the special lane earmarked for senior citizens, differently-abled, ambulances, Army vehicles and government vehicles.

At the peak hour of arrival and departure of the morning Shatabdi, both the lanes were open to the public to pick up and drop their family and friends. The GRP staff is only deputed to manage traffic on the road in front of the station.

The GRP staff said they had been instructed that only during an emergency — when an ambulance, fire brigade or Army vehicle arrives at the station –- that the lane would be cleared for the smooth flow of traffic. The remaining time it would be open for public vehicles.

On February 9, the GRP had installed these barricades at the station with the information that the lane would be dedicated for VVIP entry only.

RPF officials deployed at the diversion said during the arrival of the Kalka-Shatabdi, which is 11:05 am, and departure of the new Shatabdi, which is 11:40 am, commuters had a hard time due to VIP movement at the station.

In view of this, two lanes will help streamline flow of vehicles at the station.