Kindness of Chandigarh ‘Challan Police’

After I was transferred to Chandigarh in 2008, I had to purchase a new car, as it was difficult to move around the city without a vehicle, whether commuting to work or just going around with family.

All my colleagues advised me of being extra careful about the Chandigarh traffic cops, dubbed by people as the ‘Challan Police’, because they would never let you go scot-free if you were ever caught on the wrong foot or rather in the wrong lane.

One morning, I had some work regarding registration of my car. While driving my new vehicle, I took a left turn at a traffic intersection, unmindful of the mandatory use of the adjacent 'loop road' for the purpose. To my utter shock and misery, an alert traffic cop stopped me and immediately asked me to show my documents.

At first, I could not understand what rule had I broken, as I had taken a 'left turn' only after the traffic lights had turned 'green'. He politely told me that I had not used the loop road meant for 'turning' left.

Needless to say, this came as a bolt from the blue for me. However, I pleaded hard my case that it was ignorance and not a deliberate act, as I was new to the City Beautiful.

He looked at my 'innocent' face and the brand new car as well as its temporary RC, plus my all documents were also in order. He 'allowed' me to go with a strict warning to be extremely careful in future. I profusely "Thanked" him for being so kind. Sometimes while taking a left turn even today, this 'fond' memory brings a smile.

SK Gupta, Panchkula