RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Dec.1: Taking every Indian as special, the union cabinet in April 2017 had decided to turn off red beacons from the vehicles of VIPs. However, hooters and sirens have replaced beacon lights to continue the VIP culture in Jharkhand.
This reflects every day in the Jharkhand capital, when VIPs’ vehicles pass with hooters and sirens and common people have to sacrifice their movement plan in order to give safe passage to VIPs.
Most miserable impact of the VIP culture is visible on Harmu bypass road that starts from Ratu Road Chowk and ends near Birsa Chowk passing through Shani Mandir Chowk, Garikhana Chowk, Kishoreganj Chowk, Bharat Mata Chowk, Kartik Oraon Chowk, Sahajanand Chowk, Allahabad Bank Chowk, Deen Dayal Chow, Argora Chowk, Dibdih, DPS School Chowk.
“Residents of Kishoreganj who have to go Lake Road have to walk or drive 2KM extra during VIP movement as the cut which gives short access to Lake Road from Kishoreganj is closed with movable barricade during VIP movement. Cut is closed as addressing the problem of traffic congestion is not possible on Kishoreganj Chowk,” a locality resident said.
Apart from Harmu bypass road, impact of VIP culture on traffic is also visible on Main Road, Old Hazaribagh Road, Kanke Road and Circular Road.
Notably, the Center Motor Vehicle Rules does not provide for use of siren or hooter in any vehicle. Under section 119 of the CMVR, exceptions are made for ambulances, fire brigades and construction equipment vehicles besides those used by police.
“Union ministry took the decision since sirens and beacons on VIP vehicles didn’t sit well with the masses but hardly four years after the decision the VIP culture is clearly visible on the roads of Jharkhand and common people feel neglected,” a resident of Church Road said.
A traffic constable supported the observation saying they are helpless.
“Besides governor, chief minister and chief justice all other associated with these persons like cabinet ministers, over 20 judges, department secretaries and several others get VIP treatment on road and during their movement we have to take extra precaution and most of the time a hooter is used to clear the road for their hassle free movement,” the constable said.
Contacted Transport Secretary K.K.Soan for his comment on the matter he suggested contacting joint commissioner (transport) Ravi Shanker Vidyarathi. Contacted Vidyarathi he said use of the hooter is being decided by police and traffic officials. He said that the department has not issued any notification taking the use of hooter.
Contacted a senior traffic personnel, he explained the system. “There is no entitlement to use a hooter. We have spared two or three vehicles with a hooter and use it to clear the road on getting information of VIP movement. The system is like hitting two birds with one stone. By using hooter we safely respect the union cabinet’s decision and clear the road. Apart from this, VIPs also feel respected.”
Ending decades-old VIP tradition, the Union Cabinet in April, 2017 decided to do away with beacon lights for all vehicles starting May 1 of that year, including those of the President and the Prime Minister.
The then Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari led the way by taking the beacon off his official vehicle after the cabinet meeting. Emergency and relief service vehicles, ambulances, fire brigade, and vehicles belonging to the police and army had been exempted.
Calling the decision “historic”, Gadkari had said that beacons on vehicles have been perceived as symbols of VIP culture and have no place in a democratic country. He had added that the cabinet decision will help strengthen healthy democratic values.
