Guv’s movement halts traffic

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 3

Commuters in the city were put to inconvenience once again on Friday evening after the traffic was halted on Madhya Marg for the cavalcade of Governor of Haryana and Punjab Kaptan Singh Solanki, leading to a massive traffic jam.

The traffic was halted on Madhya Marg at around 4.45 pm, which led to long queues of vehicles that stretched from one intersection to another.

Manoj, a commuter who was stuck at the Sector 8 roundabout, said frequent VIP movement in the city had left commuters at the receiving end. “Being the capital of both Punjab and Haryana, VIP movement in the city is high, which leads to inconvenience to commuters every time a VIP move across the city,” he said.

He said it took almost 45 minutes for commuters to reach the Sector 8/7/18/19 roundabout from the Sector 17 light point.

Being evening hours, there was heavy rush on the road, which further added to the chaos. Vehicles were seen crawling on the road due to the traffic jam.

It is not just commuters who have to face inconvenience due to the VIP movement in the city, but policemen also have to face a similar situation.  A policeman deputed on the Governor’s route said on condition of anonymity that they were made to stand for almost two hours before the VIP movement.  “On VIP duty, we are generally made to stand on the roadside for two hours before the cavalcade crosses the particular point, which is not necessary,” said a constable on duty.   

3,711 functions in 2014

In 2014, the city saw 3,711 functions and visits of Indian and foreign dignitaries, according to the Chandigarh Police Annual Review of 2014.