After Test Drive By PM Narendra Modi, Lal Batti Banned From May 1, No Exceptions

[Laozi]

After Test Drive By PM Narendra Modi, Lal Batti Banned From May 1, No Exceptions
All India | Edited by Deepshikha Ghosh | Updated: April 19, 2017 15:03 IST

There will be no beacons (lal batti) for PM Modi, his ministers and officials from May 1.


NEW DELHI:
HIGHLIGHTS

1. PM Modi will not use "lal batti" on his cars from May 1
2. Other ministers, CMs, judges too banned from using "lal batti"
3. PM Modi, say sources, was emphatic about banning "lal batti culture"

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not use beacons or lalbatti anymore and neither will other ministers. From May 1, officials, ministers, chief ministers and judges are banned from using red flashing lights on their cars. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed to use blue beacons, Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said today, removing the lal batti from his own car.

"This government is a government of common masses and has decided to abolish VIP culture of beacon lights and sirens," Mr Gadkari said after a cabinet meeting.

Later, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley added that no one at the centre or in states can announce any exceptions to the new rule. "Blue lights, used often for the car preceding VIPs, will be allowed only for emergency vehicles," he said.

In recent meetings, the Prime Minister had reportedly been emphatic about ending 'lal batti culture' that has come to symbolize VIP arrogance at the cost of public convenience.

Recently, when he went to the Delhi airport to receive Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, his convoy moved "in normal traffic", which means no restrictions were in place throughout the route.


Usually, policemen put up barricades and block every route that dignitaries are to take, leaving people waiting interminably for the roads to reopen. The video of an ambulance carrying a wounded child being blocked by policemen because of a visiting dignitary's convoy in Delhi earlier this month went viral online.

In 2013, a court said the use of beacons should be restricted and only constitutional authorities should be allowed to use it.

The PM reportedly called a meeting last week to discuss how to pare down the use of lal batti cars.

Two newly elected chief ministers - Yogi Adityanath in Uttar Pradesh and Amarinder Singh in Punjab - vowed to stop using beacons.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/no-b...overnment-officers-from-may-1-sources-1683258

 

[third eye]

About time too.

I hope the Govts - Central &State can enforce this order.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

Being Capital, atleast Delhi should have incorporated some proper design for its roadways for dignitaries and other persons. Its clogged in traffic. I am not comfortable with PM travelling with other vehicles and it is dangerous too. Public should also not be affected. If India dont get its urban plan right, within next 30 years Indian cities will be nothing less other a large slum.

 

[Laozi]

Every Indian is a VIP, says PM Modi after govt decision use of red beacon

timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/every-indian-is-a-vip-pm-modi-after-red-beacon-decision/articleshow/58265553.cms

 

[kadamba-warrior]

Being Capital, atleast Delhi should have incorporated some proper design for its roadways for dignitaries and other persons. Its clogged in traffic. I am not comfortable with PM travelling with other vehicles and it is dangerous too. Public should also not be affected. If India dont get its urban plan right, within next 30 years Indian cities will be nothing less other a large slum.

Exactly. I know that in Sweden even the PM travels by public transport, but we are NOT Sweden. I am OK with the idea, but at the same time I don't want my Prime Minister/President and important government officials to be sitting ducks in traffic - especially considering the severity of threats that Modi faces.

I don't know how it is handled in the US, but I think at least the PM and President should use VIP Helicopters more often - even for intra-city visits as much as possible.

The risk is simply NOT worth it.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

Exactly. I know that in Sweden even the PM travels by public transport, but we are NOT Sweden. I am OK with the idea, but at the same time I don't want my Prime Minister/President and important government officials to be sitting ducks in traffic - especially considering the severity of threats that Modi faces.

I don't know how it is handled in the US, but I think at least the PM and President should use VIP Helicopters more often - even for intra-city visits as much as possible.

The risk is simply NOT worth it.

Its not about Modi. Its the position he holds. The position of Prime Minister, Chief Minister is important and paramount and under no situation their lives should be harmed. It will be a disgrace to Indian Security forces. We already lost Indira Gandhi, and never should we lose another PM due to carelessness.

 

[salarsikander]

Great initiative

 

[kadamba-warrior]

Its not about Modi. Its the position he holds. The position of Prime Minister, Chief Minister is important and paramount and under no situation their lives should be harmed. It will be a disgrace to Indian Security forces. We already lost Indira Gandhi, and never should we lose another PM due to carelessness.

I know, but some of these politicians face more threats than others - both internal and external. Either way, important constitutional heads need to be protected and if that means a little bit of public inconvenience, so be it.

 

[Rajaraja Chola]

I know, but some of these politicians face more threats than others - both internal and external. Either way, important constitutional heads need to be protected and if that means a little bit of public inconvenience, so be it.

Cities should be planned that gives as less inconvenience as possible. Atleast from now on moving into the future.

 

[baajey]

great initiative from the PM. this guy is leading the way. rock on.