Social distancing takes back seat at manual pass checks
nNOIDA: Even though the fourth phase of the nationwide lockdown began from Monday with considerable relaxations, the Delhi-noida border continued to remain sealed. Only movement of people involved in essential services and those who had administration-issued passes was permitted to cross.
With the Union ministry of home affairs permitting interstate travel from May 18, with the mutual consent of states, traffic chaos was witnessed at the Kalindi Kunj and Delh-noida-direct (DND) Flyway stretch on Monday morning.
“People started queuing up on the Delhi side to cross over to Noida, assuming that the borders would have been de-sealed. However, Gautam Budh Nagar is continuing with the previous guidelines and only movement of essential services and those with passes issued by the DM is allowed,” said Rajesh S, the deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Gautam Budh Nagar.
Commuters complained that some personnel were insisting on checking vehicles from inside and hassling them. They said the cops came too close to the driver while manually checking passes, in violation of social distancing norms.
“The situation was tense Monday morning. There was pressure from the Delhi side but it was controlled. All previous guidelines are being followed,” Kumar Ranvijay Singh, additional DCP, zone 1, said.
Rajesh S said there were snarls in the morning and instead of the usual one lane, traffic personnel had to open two additional lanes to smoothen the flow . The situation was normal by 11.30am, traffic officers said.
Traffic congestion was witnessed at the Delhi-gurugram border on Wednesday morning as the police continued to restrict the entry of people without valid passes.
Policemen deputed at the Sirhaul border said that they had to turn away about 500 motorcyclists and 50 car owners.
A police officer, requesting anonymity, said, “Many office employees assumed restrictions on the inter-state movement of passenger vehicles had been lifted, referring to an MHA order. We have not received any new guidelines. Only people who have passes will be allowed.”