Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari who was on a two day visit to Goa was yet another VVIP responsible for utter traffic chaos at many places with roads unnecessarily closed in advance to make way for his convoy. All this despite the Supreme Court and various High Courts taking strong objection to closing of roads by the traffic police only to facilitate smooth travelling for VVIPs. Hundreds of policemen who were diverted from maintaining law and order were posted all along the route from Panaji right to the Airport. Under the guise of VVIP security this has now become more a matter of routine than a protective measure. The Margao-Panaji highway at Verna was closed for almost an hour with no provision for even an ambulance to steer through.
Closing down roads without making alternative arrangements is in violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed to us under Article 14, 19 and 21 of our Constitution. This indiscriminately blocking of key roads should be strongly deprecated with the message loud and clear to the VVIPs that they are not welcome to Goa if it is to create traffic chaos and disorder. Traffic cannot come to a standstill just because of a VVIP. We are all entitled to lead our normal lives. Every ordinary citizen’s time and respect is as important as that of any VVIP. Aires Rodrigues Advocate High Court C/G-2, Shopping Complex Ribandar Retreat, Ribandar – Goa – 403006 Mobile No: 9822684372 Office Tel No: (0832) 2444012 Email: airesrodrigu...@gmail.com Or airesrodrig...@yahoo.com You can also reach me on Facebook.com/ AiresRodrigues Twitter@rodrigues_aires