On eve of PM’s visit, security drills spell traffic chaos

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 10

A day ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city, security drills and rehearsals by the security forces led to massive traffic jams in different parts of the city.

As heavy security had been deployed on the possible routes to be taken by the PM’s convoy while moving to and fro from the airport, the traffic staff could hardly be seen to regulate traffic on left-out routes, especially those from the Zirakpur, Panchkula and Mohali side, resulting in inconvenience to commuters.

The security agencies, including the Chandigarh Police, carried out a mock drill on the routes from where the PM’s cavalcade will travel to the PGI for the annual convocation and to the Sector 25 rally ground. The traffic at intersections from where the convoy will cross was halted during the rehearsal. The movement of traffic on other parallel roads was also affected.

Traffic snarls were witnessed in the stretch between the airport ligh point and Tribune Chowk, Dakshin Marg, Madhya Marg, Matka Chowk, the Sector 10/11/15/16 roundabout, the PGI roundabout, the road dividing Sectors 14 and 15 and the Sector 14/15/24/25 roundabout.

Rishabh, a commuter who was stuck near Sector 7 for around 15 minutes during the drill in the morning, said it was sheer harassment for people. He said such drills should not be conducted during the peak traffic hours.

Security blanket for Modi’s visit

Over 4,500 personnel of the Chandigarh Police, three companies of paramilitary forces from the Centre and forces from Punjab and Haryana have been deputed for the Prime Minister’s visit. The PGI and rally ground have been turned into a virtual fortress ahead of Modi’s visit.

CTU bus service may be hit

As around 40 buses of the CTU have been requisitioned by the Chandigarh Administration for the movement of staff and for other duties during the rally on Friday, the frequency of the bus service on some local routes is likely to be affected.

Naib courts overburdened

The naib courts (police staff meant for duty in courts for liaison) were seen overburdened on Thursday as 12 of them were managing the work iof 31 courts. As a result, one naib court was looking after the work of two to three courts at one time. While one naib court is usually designated for each court, the UT SSP has pulled 22 naib courts to be engaged in the security duty for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit.

Holiday in city schools today 

In view of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the city on Friday, the Chandigarh Administration has declared a holiday in all local schools. The examinations scheduled for Friday have been postponed till further orders. The Finance-cum-Education Secretary forwarded the orders to the Director, Public Instructions (Schools), Chandigarh.

Traffic to be halted for 10 minutes 

The traffic on intersections falling on the PM’s route will be halted for around 10 minutes before the convoy crosses the particular point.

Routes you should avoid

Since the Prime Minister will be in the city from 9.25 am to 1.30 pm, commuters are advised to avoid taking the Zirakpur-Chandigarh road, the Kishangarh road towards Sector 26 and roads near the PGI and Sector 25 between 9 am and 2 pm. Those moving towards the Punjab and Haryana High Court from the Mohali side are advised to reach before 10 am. The entry to the cremation ground in Sector 25 during the PM’s visit will be from the Sector 38 side.