Spare us the VIPs!

President Patil's visit clogs South Mumbai roads; commuters now wary of Obama's visit, suggest VIPs be airlifted instead

Massive traffic jams on arterial roads in south Mumbai yesterday due to President Pratibha Patil's visit had exhausted commuters asking the question, "If this is the condition for the Indian President, what will happen when Obama comes to town?"

In the last two days, as President Patil moved around town attending several functions, including the anniversary celebrations of Cathedral and John Connon School, the public was harried with traffic jams and blockades in the city.


Recipient of the Jamnalal Bajaj award Shakuntala Choudhary hugs President Pratibha Patil at a felicitation function at Y B Chavan auditorium yesterday

From Marine Drive to Churchgate, Pedder Road and Worli Seaface, all the roads were blocked. On Thursday evening, when the President was in town to attend a function, the aforementioned roads were jammed, making commuters furious. The traffic jam continued even two hours after the President had departed the function.

Commuter anguish

Rahul Dave, a Colaba resident, said, "I have noticed this for many years but never seen any improvement in the traffic. Today it is Patil, tomorrow it will be Obama and again there will be someone.

The VIPs don't end."

Meera Sharma, resident of Pedder Road, said, "Every day we anxiously read about President Obama's visit and his security arrangements. God knows how many roads will be closed and how many traffic points will be diverted."

There were some who suggested airlifting VIPs to their destinations so that traffic flow remains normal. "The government spends so much money arranging VIP movements. Why don't they just airlift them with choppers instead?" asked Jayant Kumar, a Chembur resident, who was stuck in the traffic at Pedder Road.

Reporter's diary

After a long day of work, commuters, especially those working in Churchgate and neighbouring areas, had to deal with hours of traffic.

Most commuters blamed the traffic cops while there were others who vented their frustration over the phone, their loud voices saying, "I am stuck in traffic again, I don't know when I will reach".

Even I could not convince myself to approach these angry commuters for their views on traffic jams due to VIP movement.

The Other Side

DCP Traffic police Nandkumar Chougule came out strongly in defence of the traffic arrangement, saying, "This happens in every country and it is nothing new. Our duty is to ensure the safety of VIPs like the President of India.

This happens only once or twice in a year. Can't people adjust for half an hour even for our President?" However, he said that the traffic department has not yet received the schedule for Obama's visit, so nothing has been decided yet.

A senior Press Information Bureau official said, "Traffic and law and order is the matter of police and state and whenever a VIP comes, it is they who arrange everything. It has nothing to do with us."