VVIP convoys hold traffic to ransom

VVIP convoys hold traffic to ransom
Blame It On Coalition Politics For Gridlock At Signals
The TImes of India

Bangalore: Caught in a traffic jam, waiting for a convoy of cars, beacons blazing, to speed past? Blame it on the coalition politics era, with more number of VVIPs coming under the category entitled for official convoys.

Till six months ago, the then chief minister S.M. Krishna, who was the only VVIP to be given a convoy, had instructed the police department not to stop vehicles and clear roads for him under ordinary circumstances. But after the Congress-JD(S) government came to power, things have changed.

For one, there is much to-ing and fro-ing by the top brass from home base to New Delhi. The number of VVIPs too has gone up: chief minister N. Dharam Singh, deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah, transport and water resources minister Mallikarjun M. Kharge and former PM H.D. Deve Gowda have official convoys. Then there are ministers and ‘others’ who avail of pilot car service with help from ‘friendly’ traffic policemen, just to reach their destination faster.

Convoys criss-crossing the city’s roads have resulted in citizens idling at signal lights. One day last week, traffic stood still as three convoys screamed on to Airport Road: the CM, Dy CM and Kharge were on their way to New Delhi, to hand over a tsunami relief cheque for Rs 26 crore to PM Manmohan Singh.

They left their respective homes in three different convoys at three different timings: between 9.30 and 9.55 am. So a clear path was paved along all the busy junctions between Windsor Manor and the airport. Scores of executives, government servants, students and businessmen were trapped on the roads.

“Why stop us? Why can’t the three VVIPs take one car to the airport?” an angry citizen had questioned. But there were no answers. The basis for providing a pilot car, escort service or both, is based on the stature of the person and threat perception, which a high-power committee comprising senior police officials decides on.

Whatever happened to the bright idea of ferrying VVIPs from the airport to the Palace Grounds, mooted some months ago?

CONVOY CLASS

Governor, CM, Dy CM, water resources and transport minister, former PMs and Presidents, HC Chief Justice, visiting Supreme Court judges and governors, President, prime minister, Union home minister, visiting heads of nations and dignitaries, high-risk personalities like UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.