Red beacon back atop DC's vehicle

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Chandigarh, July 29

In wake of modified orders of the Supreme Court that has again allowed the police, armed forces, emergency vehicles and ambulances to use the red beacon atop their vehicles, the UT Deputy Commissioner has been allowed by the Chandigarh Administration to use the red beacon atop his official vehicle.

Being the District Magistrate, the official vehicle is equipped with wireless set. Deputy Commissioner, Dr SB Deepak Kumar, confirmed that in wake of the Supreme Court orders, the red beacon had been permitted.

Urging for the modification of the December 2013 order of the Supreme Court, the Delhi Government had cited the Rayleigh Theory on scattering of light to assert that red had the maximum wavelength and, thus, the maximum scattering of incident light.

"Red light has maximum penetration even in low-visibility in conditions such as fog, dust and at night. Blue light has the minimum wavelength, maximum scattering and least penetration," he said.

Putting an end to the rampant misuse of red beacon lights atop cars as a VIP status symbol, the Supreme Court in a significant ruling on December 10, 2013, said only dignitaries holding Constitutional posts at the Centre and states were entitled to the privilege.

Earlier, in Chandigarh only three top IAS officers, the Mayor, the IGP were allowed to use the red beacon.