What keeps cops busy?

Guess what kept Delhi Police busy last year?

Apart from maintaining law and order, the understaffed city police was engaged in securing the routes of VIPs.

It takes at least 300 policemen to secure a route for one such movement and the strength good enough to run three police stations in Delhi.

It also means putting some National Security Guard (NSG) men and Intelligence Bureau (IB) officials on the routes.

Delhi Police are contemplating to request Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to dedicate a train on the Connaught Place-Airport line for movement of the VIP cavalcade, who use the Air Force Base near Indira Gandhi International Airport frequently.

“The VIPs should use helicopters as much as possible to commute within the city. Peak hours and arterial roads should be avoided,” said Ajai Raj Sharma, former police commissioner, Delhi.

He said a helipad could reduce the burden on Delhi Police. “A helipad should be built close to Rajpath, which is frequented the most by VIPs,” he said. “Clearances have to be taken from various authorities.”

The Civil Aviation Ministry has cleared the construction of a temporary heliport close to the Commonwealth Games Village. A permanent heliport is also coming up at Rohini.

Both should be ready for use before the Games.

A fortnight ago, police struggled to maintain traffic during the Auto Expo as a chunk of the force was deployed in securing routes for VIPs.

The New Delhi district comprising arterial areas like Connaught Place, Sardar Patel Marg, Tilak Marg handled 977 VIPs movements in 2009.

“It is a strain on the police resources and pain for the common man who has to face spiraling traffic jams,” said a senior police officer.