Common man bears the brunt of VVIP movement

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 3

The 'Heart of Asia', an international conference of politicians and diplomats, has choked the arteries of the holy city, as traffic congestion was quite visible due to the route diversions for the movement of VVIPs attending the conference. The cops have been deputed for the smooth movement of the VVIPs, but no one seems to be bothered about the traffic here.

Several companies of paramilitary forces and the Punjab Police have been deputed for the arrangements, but they are only concerned about the convenience of the VVIPs. The commuters have been facing huge jams in congested streets and roads.

The police has banned the entry of the local residents on several roads. The visitors to Hall Bazar were asked to vacate the area this evening.

Gurpreet Singh, a visitor to Hall Gate, said "it is very unfortunate that common public is being victimised again to please the VVIPs. He said route diversions for the ease of delegates have disturbed the traffic map of the city; even police inconsiderate with the commuters. The police asked us not to come out from the shops for half an hour”.

Harminder Singh, a resident of Ranjeet Avenue, said, "We honour the delegates but that does not mean that government disturbs its own countrymen. He said no one has informed the residents about the diversions before the conference and it is poor management of the routes by the traffic police."

Ranjeet Singh, a resident of New Delhi, said he was in the holy city for paying obeisance at Golden Temple and he was stuck in a traffic jam near the Ram Bagh for one hour. He said the police was not cooperating with them.

Stephen, an American citizen, said he was upset over the poor functioning of the police and the administration. He said.