NOTSO FAST MR MAYOR

NOTSO FAST MR MAYOR
Newly sworn-in mayor S K Nataraj and his convoy jump a signal near Hudson Circle and drive down the opposite direction on a one-way First citizen’s crazy car leaves cops gaping No provision to stop traffic for him: Police
B K LAKSHMIKANTHA & NIRANJAN KAGGERE


Guess the first thing that Bangalore's new mayor did on assuming office on Friday? Well, he went ahead and jumped a signal, causing a traffic jam! Mayor S K Nataraj's convoy did not wait for the traffic signal to turn green near Hudson Circle. They just zipped past while cops at the junction looked on helplessly.
"What can we do if the car of the first citizen of the city fails to obey traffic rules on the first day of his office?" a traffic constable complained. The mayor's convoy also threw the oncoming traffic out of gear.
VIOLATES ONE-WAY TOO
The drama started around 3:05 pm when both Nataraj and deputy mayor N Dayanand walked out of the BBMP council after taking oath of office.
They waved at their supporters who had gathered outside the building, and got into a Toyota Corolla car at 3:13 pm. Protocol demanded that they call on Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa.
"They were in a great hurry to meet the CM, and the convoy started even before the traffic cops swung into action," sources said. The convoy headed towards Devanga Hostel Road near Hudson Circle, took a left towards Hudson Circle, drove in the opposite direction on the one-way and headed towards the CM's residence.
"The convoy came at a time when vehicles from Hudson Circle were moving towards Subbaiah Circle on Devanga Hostel Road. Caught off-guard, the cops had to stop the oncoming vehicles and allow the convoy to pass. That caused a traffic snarl," a police source said. Fortunately for the mayor, there was no photographer or video cameraman at the spot to capture the event.
COPS BLAME MAYOR
Bangalore Mirror spoke to BBMP officials associated with the mayor's office and their reaction was: "The police were supposed to take care of all this, there were several cops at the BBMP exit point. The police cleared the way as the convoy moved," an officer said.
But senior police officials denied this and asserted there was no provision to stop traffic to allow the mayor's convoy. "It is only with regard to the CM, Governor and a few others that traffic can be stopped... we are not authorised to do it for the mayor as he is not included in the list," an officer said.