Open House: In case of VIP movement, how can police address traffic jams without compromising security?

Proper groundwork is required

To address traffic congestion during VIP movements while maintaining security, the police can consider several strategies. Pre-event planning is crucial, starting with advance notification to inform the public about VIP movements and expected traffic disruptions through social media, traffic apps and local news. Additionally, route optimisation involves planning alternative routes for commuters and VIP convoys to minimise intersections and reduce congestion. Timing adjustments also play a key role by scheduling VIP movements during off-peak hours or late evening/early morning to reduce the impact on daily commuters. Effective traffic management is also essential. This includes dynamic traffic routing, which utilises real-time traffic monitoring to divert traffic and adjust signal timings. Lane management designates specific lanes for VIP convoys and restricts access to minimise disruption. Furthermore, traffic re-routing involves using detours and alternative routes to bypass congested areas. By implementing these measures, police can strike a balance between ensuring the security of VIP movements and minimising inconvenience to commuters, ultimately streamlining traffic flow and maintaining public safety.

Navi Kaur

Create green passage for ambulances

VIP convoys in the city have become yet another manifestation of a political and administrative culture where the self-esteem of public servants depends on the distance they can maintain from the public. Police are overzealous because they respond to a system where public inconvenience is a low priority on their list. There should be some dedicated corridors for the unhindered movement of ambulances, as in the absence of these green passages, VIP movement causes many avoidable miseries to patients who are in need of emergency medical attention. There was hope following the 2017 Union Cabinet decision to end “Lal Batti Raj”. But long VIP convoys don’t seem to be a part of this decision of change. No doubt, the VIPs need protection, but for this, the state must deploy smarter security arrangements and nix those inconveniencing convoys to avoid such tragedies. When the public servants are driven by the desire to achieve positive results, let the common public not be driven to despair because of the feeling of there being no hope.

L J Singh, Chief Engineer (retd)

Dedicated lanes for VIP movement needed

Managing traffic during VIP movements poses a significant challenge, particularly when balancing security needs along with the regular flow of traffic. To address this issue effectively, the police can implement several strategies such as assessing and planning VIP routes in advance. Communicating these same things to the public through various channels like social media, local news and traffic apps can help commuters follow alternative routes to avoid congested areas. Advanced technology such as CCTV cameras, traffic sensors and GPS tracking should be deployed to manage traffic systems intelligently. This can facilitate real-time monitoring and control of traffic. Establishing specific dedicated lanes for VIP movement that are marked and communicated to the public can also help minimise disruption in regular traffic patterns. Scheduling VIP movements during off-peak hours is another effective strategy to reduce the impact on everyday regular traffic and enhance road safety. Ensuring emergency vehicles have unimpeded access during VIP movements is crucial. This can be achieved by creating dedicated emergency lanes and deploying quick response teams to manage any incident swiftly. On days of VIP movements, the use of public transport should be encouraged to reduce the number of private vehicles, by offering incentives or by increasing the frequency of services. For optimal outcomes, traffic management authorities should closely collaborate with the local municipal corporation to enhance the planning and execution of traffic management strategies. Furthermore, educating the public about the importance of VIP movements and the need for cooperation fosters more understanding and patient attitude among commuters.

Dr Kulwant Singh Phull

Multi-storey parking, free roads wanted

Worsening traffic conditions is a big concern in almost all cities in our country. A manifold rise in automobiles and encroachments contribute to serious traffic and environmental issues. The problem is more conspicuous in old crowded towns as the infrastructure there is either inadequate or poorly managed. Besides, the vehicles parked along roads, streets or even on pavements cause a lot of inconvenience to the residents and pedestrians as well. The horrifying problem is further accentuated while making safe passage for the VIP movement in cities, which typically involves road closures, diversions and traffic stoppages along designated routes, leading to significant traffic disruptions. This often frustrates the commuters who get delayed in reaching their destination due to jams and snarls on the roads. Such VIP movements also pose a critical challenge to emergency services like ambulances and fire brigade vehicles, as the inevitable delays caused by restricted access to key roads can be life-threatening in some cases. When urban infrastructure improvement is the need of the hour, the civic authorities will have to take effective steps to address the prevailing traffic chaos by clearing the encroachments and channelling the movement across the roads, especially in congested areas. Until very necessary, movement of VVIPs during the peak hours on narrow lanes should be avoided, while the unessential paraphernalia attached to them should be thoroughly curtailed. Similarly, illegal parking on roads, lanes or in front of shops/offices has to be curbed for ensuring uninterrupted flow of traffic. One-way traffic movement or restricted entry of vehicles to crowded places can be helpful for easing the situation during peak congestion hours. Like many other countries, construction of multi-storey parking lots and earmarking no-vehicle zones in cities with narrow roads and busy markets is essential to solve the traffic woes. Besides, CCTV network should be expanded to exercise a close vigil on reckless driving, rampant encroachments and haphazard parking by all possible ways. However, the traffic police should ensure that least inconvenience is caused to the ordinary citizens while making special arrangements for movement of vehicles and convoys of VIPs/dignitaries in cities. Among all these measures, a better communication and coordination between traffic authorities, law enforcement and public services improvised by technology-based traffic apps can be of big help in navigating these challenges, thus reducing the adverse effects on urban mobility.

Nirmaljit Singh Chatrath

VIP culture not good for democracy

India’s Constitution starts with the preamble saying, “We, the people of India”s, which implies that all are equal but the fact is that there is no equality. VIP culture may degrade the value of the Constitution. Now the concern in our country is that this VIP culture which has been prevalent and growing with every passing day, not only decreases the value of democracy but also gives negative repercussions to city life like blocking of roads and traffic congestion. In the cities, people face a lot of problems because of this. When any VIP passes on the road, it may impact the movement of ambulances, school buses and other modes of public transport. It also creates problems in people’s lives who may get late for work or in case of an emergency. To resolve these concerns, the government or police should ban or remove the VIP culture. Like in our cities, removal of red and blue lights on officers’ cars may also give the message that everyone is equal. However, providing security to these VIPs to some extent is also important like in the case of (PM, CM) due to various threats. But the police should manage these so that normal residents do not face problems. Separate roads and lanes should be provided in advance so that it doesn'’ affect traffic on other roads. Also, give priority to ambulances, school buses and schoolchildren. And last but not least, the government should enforce some laws under Article 14 (equality before law) under which such VIP culture should be banned. All the ministers and officers should be treated normally, shorn of the trappings of power because most of the time, it only serves to inconvenience people.

Bharti Thakur

Notify changes well in advance

The police need to make proper arrangements for regulating the general public and vehicular traffic to minimise their hardships during VIP movements in the city. The balance between free, safe and secure passage of intended VIPs and avoiding inconvenience to the people and ensuring uninterrupted traffic has to be efficiently maintained by the police. The policemen deployed should be regularly sensitised to ensure that common people do not suffer under such situations. The traffic police should also be briefed or instructed to stop the public for minimum possible time and cross-traffic be allowed wherever possible. Proper facilitation of emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire tenders etc has to be ensured. Moreover, if possible, regulating movement of vehicles and making special traffic arrangements and changes in prominent routes should be notified in advance through public media. One-way traffic can be resorted to while making proper arrangements for both ways. And such changes need to be notified in advance for the general public, if the VIP visit is known to the police.

Jagdish Chander

Create diversions for alternative routes

Like any other state in India, Punjab is not lacking in the growing number of VIPs going and coming through the cities for important works related to governance of the country. When important personnel navigate the roads and streets of the province, the everyday lives of civilians often come to a standstill. As these VIPs are granted precedence, traffic is halted, causing significant disruptions in the flow of daily commute. This prioritisation creates a ripple effect, where frustrated drivers and pedestrians must wait patiently, their routines interrupted by the looming presence of authority. The once-bustling thoroughfares, filled with the sounds of honking horns and bustling activity, transform into quiet waiting areas, with many left to ponder the imbalance in priorities amidst the chaos of urban life. This system is in dire need of change as this can indirectly, adversely affect the economy of the state as people are not able to report for work on time, causing a waste of time. To minimise disruptions and ensure the safety of dignitaries during their transit, law enforcement agencies should designate a specific stretch of road exclusively for their passage. This designated lane should be at least five feet away from the public thoroughfare to enhance security measures and maintain a safe distance. Importantly, this arrangement does not imply that all traffic must come to a complete stop. Instead, the goal is for traffic flow to remain continuous, allowing vehicles to proceed without significant delays while accommodating the dignitary’s movement. Another more practical way is to use diversions; police should check any possible diversions for the common public to provide a safe and secure way to the important officials and keep the traffic moving to avoid jams and halts. This should be designed by expert officials who know the roads in and out. An online portal like Google Maps or other GPS-operated apps should be regularly updated with the fastest alternative routes to save both time and security for the VIPs and the public.

Lakshit Jindal

VVIP visit entails following protocol

There is no remedy for this, the reason being the festival season and significant increase in the number of vehicles in the city. When there is VVIP or VIP movement, protocol has to be followed as per the framed rules and regulations issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. If the traffic is closed for a few minutes, it takes long to clear. The public has to suffer for this as the roads are closed for the safe passage of the VIP.

Rajat Kumar Mohindru

Police have to find other ways

When a VIP arrives somewhere, the police stop the traffic on the road for his safety resulting in jams. The people face harassment consequently. They have to wait for many hours. Some have to appear in competitive exams, interviews or are serious patients. If they get stuck in traffic jam for many hours, they can lose the golden chance of life. The police have to think about this serious matter. They will have to find other ways in place of blocking the road for the VIP so that someone does not get grievously affected because of the snarls.

Sucha Singh Sagar

QUESTION FOR NEXT WEEK

Despite low farm fires, AQI plummeted in Amritsar district during recent days as the air pollution increased. Shouldn't the government be proactive on curbing vehicular, road construction and other pollution, besides burning of crop residue in the district.

Suggestions in not more than 200 words can be sent to amritsardesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (October 31)