Bhopal: It appears that traffic police have taken too seriously the Minister’s warning that he would not tolerate any traffic nuisance in the city. Not ready to earn his wrath, the department authorities are on the toes to ensure hassle-free movement of the minister’s cavalcade.
Recently, the cabinet minister Arif Aqueel warning that he would not tolerate any traffic congestion in the city had said that if he got stuck in traffic jam, he would leave his vehicle there and walk away. The cops unable to ensure hassle-free traffic movement across the state capital, however, have made sure to keep those routes decongested on which the ministers commutes. While the city’s traffic arrangements are getting worse with each passing day, the scene is quite different on the route which the minister Arif Aqueel takes daily.
It seems that the traffic cops are least bothered about the erratic vehicular movement on the city’s busiest roads and congested junctions as their entire focus lies on the routes on which minister’s cavalcade commutes. It is hard to find traffic police on city’s squares and intersections, however, cops could be seen manning vehicular movement in in old city area and also markets. Traffic department has put up barricades at four places in the oldest markets of the city.
Barricades have been put up at the areas including Janakpuri Square near Jumerati, Laxmi talkies, Beldar road and at the entry of the road that connects Jumerati to Laxmi Talkies. However, a parallel road connecting Jumerati to Ghoda Nakhaas remains congested as usual. This route is used by Aqueel for his daily commuting and the cops are now seen manning the traffic. These roads are turned into one-way to ensure they remain decongested when the minister’s cavalcade passes through these areas.
Taking a dig at the minister, BJP leader Fatima Siddiqui, a BJP leader said that minister should have concern for all commuters and also make sure all routes remain congestion free, however, he is only focusing on area from where his car passes. Areas like Chowk market, Ghoda Nakhhas, Budhwara, Itwara to Mangalwara etc witness traffic snarl every day.
