Shimla Sealed areas need, strict Law for use by VIPs
Posted by megri @ Sunday, July 13, 2003
A couple of days back there was a news, which was published that the Government has taken a serious action for the heavy traffic on the restricted and sealed areas of The Mall and adjoining areas. In that order, the Government has strongly stated that even the vehicles of Police departments will not be allowed in sealed/restricted areas. But no implementation is to be seen. It seems to be a paper tiger, which is often the case.
Every human being has a right to walk freely or breath fresh air. This was the reason behind the thinking of the British when they chose Shimla as a Hill Station. The Mall was designed for walking and shopping and the Cart Road for vehicle movement and that too was allowed to a very few people. But today there is no difference between The Mall and Cart Road. The vehicles are plying frequently on the Mall as they ply on Cart road, of course under the protection of the 'so called' vehicle permits.
The VIPs have some official cars for official work, with red lights. Besides, VIPs own private cars are which also are decorated with red lights, which needs to be checked. These cars are being used by the members of the family of the VIPs i.e. sons, daughters, wives and relatives without any check. Red Light is more than enough for them to ply on the restricted areas, weather the car has a permit or not.
Traffic Police has no guts to stop those vehicles, having Red Lights on the top. A decision was taken by the Government during 1990, that only those vehicle will be allowed on the restricted and sealed roads, in which the person to whom the permit has been issued, is present in the car. This rules applies even now and it should be enforced strictly - If this rule has not been scrapped. If this rule exists it should be made applicable on urgent basis. If not this rule should be re-introduced.
The youngsters have been seen driving cars on sealed roads on high speed and people in the area have also alleged eve teasing by some of them. It is, therefore, all the more necessary that police checks the occupants of the cars at entry points and if the VIP or the permit holder is not sitting in the car, the car should be challaned and stopped there only until the owner himself does not come and collect the car, by paying the fine. It should not hurt the VIPs, if a discipline in the society has to be inculcated.
Dhumal, the Chief Minister does not use Siren on the roads, which also is appreciable as otherwise this was a nuisance in the past. It was an open invitation to terrorists to get ready for the attack as their goal of attack was coming, the siren is just to make them alert!
Senior Citizen and the citizen having ailments should be considered for issue of permits on such roads, besides the people who have their houses/residences in these areas should also have access permits. The permit could allow the residents a small area where access is permitted to them.
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