Panchkula: Shivalik Vikas Manch state president and advocate Vijay Bansal raised serious concerns about the primary targeting of vehicles from outside the Union Territory. In a formal memorandum sent to Punjab governor and Chandigarh administrator Gulab Chand Kataria, Bansal demanded immediate action against what he termed the “tyranny” of traffic police officials. He alleged misconduct and high-handed behaviour by the Chandigarh traffic police.Advocate Bansal pointed out that from Panchkula Housing Board Chowk to PGI Chandigarh, nearly 20 police checkpoints were set up, primarily targeting vehicles from outside the UT, especially from Punjab and Haryana. He claimed that slip roads and traffic signals became collection points where police routinely stopped vehicles, harassed commuters under the pretext of checking, and allegedly extorted money. He expressed concern over the growing resentment among traders and businesspeople from Punjab and Haryana, who now hesitated to enter Chandigarh due to such practices.“Many people visit Chandigarh for business, legal, or medical reasons — be it PGI, high court, or other institutions. But repeated questioning and baseless challans (fines) are taking a toll on their time, mental peace, and dignity,” said Bansal. He particularly criticised the frequent targeting of Panchkula residents on the Manimajra slip road and noted that vehicles entering Chandigarh were immediately stopped and checked, but no such checking was done when they left the city — raising questions over this double standard.Bansal further mentioned that despite the installation of traffic surveillance cameras worth Rs 300 crore — inaugurated by Union home minister Amit Shah — manual checkpoints continued to flourish, undermining their purpose. He cited multiple media reports highlighting alleged corruption, with claims that some traffic junctions were “sold” for lakhs of rupees, turning them into revenue hubs for illegal collection. He alleged that Sector 26’s Green Market became a hotspot for such activities, where farmers and traders faced frequent harassment, impacting their businesses and livelihoods.Demanding accountability, Bansal urged the Governor and Administrator to rein in the traffic police, take strict action against erring officials, and ensure that visitors from other states are not subjected to unnecessary checks or illegal money collection.
