Chandigarh, November 27
The historical procession, believed to be the first of its kind since the Partition, carrying a golden palki (palanquin) from India to Nankana Sahib, Pakistan, crossed its way through Haryana today. This resulted in difficulties for
road users and a drastic slowing down of traffic on the national highway.
The procession stopped at various cities like Panipat,
Karnal, Kurukshetra and Ambala to allow local residents to have a view of the palki and also the nagar kirtan in which the devout are taking part
with fervour.
Accompanied by nearly 6,000 persons and 500 vehicles, the procession caused a traffic jam on the National Highway-1. Even though the highway is four-laned, the sheer number of vehicles that too moving at a slow pace meant other road users faced problems.
At least one lane of the road had been taken up by the procession that was more than 3-4 km long. Cars, trucks and buses coming from Delhi towards, Ambala, Chandigarh and Ludhiana were forced to use just one lane of the road. At many places, fast moving traffic got together with slow moving rehras and tractor-trailers resulting in long queues. Vehicles drivers could be seen using the wrong side of the road.
As the procession stopped at various places along the highway, the assembly of local residents further aggravated the problem. According to reports, thousands of people had gathered along the highway to welcome the procession.
In Panipat, the police used side lanes along the national
highway to divert traffic. Being a Sunday, the impact on traffic chaos was greatly reduced at Panipat which is normally a congested area.
Earlier, the procession had entered Haryana from Kundli in Sonepat district. The Haryana Excise and Taxation Minister, Mr Venod Sharma, received the nagar kirtan on behalf of the Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda and the Haryana Government. Thousands of people, assembled on this occasion, showered flower petals on the golden palki in which the Guru Granth Sahib is being taken in a decorated glass bus to Pakistan.
The Secretary of the Haryana Congress Party, Mr Jaipal Singh Lali, legislators, Mr Anil Thakkar, Mr Jitender Malik and Mr Ramesh Kaushik along with Jathedar Kartar Singh Takkar were also present on this occasion.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr Venod Sharma welcomed the nagar kirtan and said all assistance would be extended by the state government. Mr Sharma and Mr Lali were scheduled to accompany the nagar kirtan till the Shambu border near Rajpura where the national highway links up with Punjab.
Mr Paramjit Singh Sarna, President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, and jathedars of various gurdwaras of the country led the nagar kirtan which would reach Nankana Sahib on November 29.
