VIP zips past traffic rules in Sector 17

Amit Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 3

Taking visitors at the Sector 17 Plaza by surprise, a white Toyota Fortuner, bearing a Punjab registration number (PB 65 P 5590) and having a red beacon atop, brazenly zipped through the no-parking zone this afternoon and was parked on the pavement near a showroom for quite some time.

A posse of security guards, who accompanied the VIP, were seen running alongside the vehicle and stood guard till the official remained there. The UT police remained a mute spectator and did not question anyone even though a police post is situated right at the centre of the Plaza.

One of the visitors, Gurjusjit Singh, an AAP volunteer, clicked the picture of the vehicle parked in the no-parking zone and posted it on the Facebook page of the Chandigarh Traffic Police after which a challan of wrong parking was reportedly issued to the violator.

Interestingly, the traffic police literally paved the way for the VIP vehicle and traffic was halted at the Sector 17 lights near the MC office till the time the VIP convoy with the Toyota car passed through the lights.

Commuters crossing through the light point were stopped by a traffic policewoman, leaving everyone fuming. After a few minutes, the SUV, accompanied by the escort vehicles, left the parking lot and very conveniently crossed the light point.

Advocate writes to IGP

Advocate Ajay Jagga, who was present at the light point where traffic was halted for the convoy to pass, has complained to UT IGP RP Upadhyaya about the VIP culture in Chandigarh. “I was in my vehicle in a queue at the red light in Sector 17 at 12.15 pm today. After about 55 seconds, the red light changed into green but suddenly all lights were switched off and a policewoman came to the centre of the road and stopped traffic from all four sides. The white vehicle as well as police escort vehicles started crossing the road. We were left stranded for five minutes,” said the advocate.