Clearing VIP way is cops’ only duty here

The two armed police personnel deployed at the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway toll plaza are assigned only for clearing lanes for VIP vehicles and cannot act at the time of law and order problems.

The two armed police personnel deployed at the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway toll plaza are assigned only for clearing lanes for VIP vehicles and cannot act at the time of law and order problems.

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A total of four policemen are deployed at a one-room police post at the 32-lane toll plaza. Of them, two cops carry rifles but they are not supposed to intervene in case of a fight or other such situation. They have no power to arrest or detain anyone.

They can just call the enforcement from the concerned police stations when the matter is not resolved even though the cops also admit that the locals often pick up fights with the toll operators as they try to avoid paying toll.

"We are not supposed to maintain law and order at the toll plaza. We generally receive instructions for ensuring smooth flow of traffic in the event of VIP visits. When a VIP vehicle or convoys approached the toll plaza, we ensure that no one strays into the lane earmarked for the VIP or violate the tag lanes dedicated for smart tag users and cash collection," said one of the policeman.