Prez visit: Class XII students on way to exam centres face traffic blues

Traffic restrictions owing to the VVIP movement on Tuesday morning gave jitters to several Class XII school students, who were heading for their respective board examination centres, as they remained stuck in snarl-ups for quite a long time.

Several students reached their respective examination centres after a delay of almost 10 to 15 minutes, and faced trouble in gaining entry. It was only after the intervention of school authorities that those coming late were allowed to sit in the examination hall.

Avoid these routes today

In view of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit, the Chandigarh Police have issued a traffic advisory for Wednesday.

Traffic will be regulated from Hira Singh Chowk (Sector 5/6-7/8 Chowk) to AP Chowk (Sector 7/8-18/19) on Sarovar Path and from AP Chowk (Sector 7/8-18/19) to PU Gate No. 1 on Madhya Marg between 9.30 am and 10.30 am.

Additionally, traffic will be regulated from PU Gate No. 1 to AP Chowk on Madhya Marg, from AP Chowk to New Labour Chowk (Sector 20/21-33/34) on Sarovar Path and from New Labour Chowk to Airport light point on Dakshin Marg from 11 am to 12.15 pm.

Commuters are advised to use alternative routes to avoid inconvenience.

Students were to appear for the CBSE Class XII English (Core) examination today. The entry to various centres had started at 9 am and was permitted till 10 am as the exam was to begin at 10.30 am. The CBSE advisory issued in February had mentioned that latecomers will not be allowed entry to the examination centre.

The restrictions were placed to provide a safe way, under protocol, to President Droupadi Murmu, who is in the city on a two-day visit. The clearance of the road was ensured in the morning, as she was going to Bathinda to attend a convocation ceremony at the Central University of Punjab.

As per the Chandigarh Police guidelines, the traffic was regulated on Sarovar Path from Hira Singh Chowk (Sector 5/6 and 7/8) to New Labour Chowk (Sector 20/21 and 33/34) and from New Labour Chowk (Sector 20/21 & 33/34) to the Airport light point on Dakshin Marg between 8.45 am and 10 am. The traffic was regulated at the same junctions in the evening too.

Murmu praises Punjabi food, Bhangra

Lauding Punjab’s rich culture, legacy and spiritualism, President Droupadi Murmu said Bhangra is so mesmerising that if any patient watches it, he feels like getting up and dancing. “Their heart starts racing again and half of their illness vanishes. Punjab’s folk dances have always been very popular across the country. Punjabi singers are doing so well at national and international levels. Marriages across the country have Punjabi flavour these days,” she said, while addressing a civic reception hosted by the Punjab Government at the Indian School of Business in Mohali on Tuesday evening. “Punjab’s food has been adopted by many countries. People throng Punjabi restaurants for lassi, itna saara dahi and parantha,” she said, as CM Bhagwant Mann looked on gleefully.

“A lot of students had to face trouble because traffic was badly affected from 8 am to 10.30 am. Today was the Class XII English final examination. The entry was not allowed at the exam centre even if a student got late by two minutes,” said RS Rana, a parent.

“The authorities should have considered the interest of these kids while making diversions or halting traffic at important junctions. The students were in panic and so were their parents. We received calls from teachers accompanying our students to the examination centre following which we requested the centre supervisor to allow them to appear for the exam. Students can’t be made to face such a trauma just before they are to appear for a final exam,” said a school head, wishing anonymity.

“The police had issued an advisory regarding traffic restrictions, but it was the peak-hour rush. I remained stuck in traffic for almost 20 minutes. Later, I got caught up in sudden rush of traffic at various junctions,” said one of the students.

A large number of police personnel were deployed to ensure a smooth passage to the President’s convoy and manage the traffic situation.

Commuters stuck in Zirakpur, Dera Bassi too

A massive traffic chaos was witnessed in Zirakpur and Dera Bassi on Tuesday evening due to route diversions on the Chandigarh-Ambala national highway. Road users were also inconvenienced on the Mohali-Zirakpur stretch due to VIP movement around 9 pm.