Ban on commercial vehicles a bane here?

To reduce the number of accidents in Civil Lines, the Gurgaon traffic police have banned auto-rickshaws and other commercial vehicles from plying on the 1-km stretch. Himabindu Reddy reports.

To reduce the number of accidents in Civil Lines, the Gurgaon traffic police have banned auto-rickshaws and other commercial vehicles from plying on the 1-km stretch.

HT Image

The move comes in the wake of a court order passed four days ago.

Civil Lines houses a working women's hostel, hospital, community centre and the office of the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG).

A traffic police official said Civil Lines was one of the major links between Old Gurgaon and New Gurgaon passing through Rajiv Chowk, a major junction.

"No commercial vehicles, including trucks, tempos and shared autos, will be allowed to ply on this road. The aim is to reduce the number of accidents on the stretch. The court had passed an order four days ago and we've implemented it with immediate effect," said assistant commissioner of police (ACP) Ravinder Tomar.

On the other hand, the move has not gone down well with the inmates of Red Cross Working Women's Hostel located on Civil Lines. "It is difficult to commute during morning hours when we go to work. Shared autos are the most feasible option and much safer that private auto-rickshaws," said a hostel inmate, who is an IT professional.

"A majority of us prefer shared autos while going to work or for shopping. But since the last three days, I have been walking back from Rajiv Chowk. At night, the street is isolated and unsafe," said another inmate Sanchita Basra (30), who works in an MNC.