Outstation Vehicles Harassed by Chandigarh Traffic Police: Advocate Alleges
Advocate Flags UT Police Harassment of Outstation Vehicles
Chandigarh : In a bold move aimed at highlighting systemic issues in Chandigarh’s traffic management, advocate and Shivalik Vikas Manch state president Vijay Bansal has submitted a formal memorandum to Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria.
He accused the Chandigarh traffic police of deliberately targeting vehicles from other states, particularly along the route from Panchkula Housing Board Chowk to PGI. The memo, submitted earlier this week, paints a concerning picture of what Bansal calls “tyrannical conduct” by law enforcement officials.
Slip Roads Turned Into Checkpoints, Commuters Allegedly Harassed
Bansal alleged that around 20 checkpoints have been installed between Panchkula and Chandigarh, most of them focusing exclusively on non-UT vehicles. According to him, these roadblocks often function as unofficial toll collection points.
“Slip roads and traffic signals have become collection booths, especially for vehicles from Punjab and Haryana,” Bansal stated. “People are being stopped unnecessarily and often face rude behavior or unjustified challans.”
He pointed out that no such scrutiny exists when vehicles exit Chandigarh, raising questions about the motive behind such selective enforcement.
Business and Medical Commuters Bear the Brunt
Bansal stressed that Chandigarh is not just a city but a crucial hub for medical, legal, and business-related travel. He highlighted that many individuals visit PGI Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana High Court, or central markets for essential reasons.
However, he said that frequent halts, time-consuming questioning, and arbitrary fines are affecting their mental well-being and professional commitments.
“Traders and farmers are now reluctant to enter the city. The economic loss from such deterrence can’t be ignored,” Bansal warned.
Cameras Worth Crores, But Manual Checks Continue
The memo also questioned the purpose of installing Rs 300 crore worth of surveillance cameras, recently inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, if manual checkpoints still dominate city roads.
Bansal alleged that some junctions are “auctioned off” internally, turning them into illegal revenue-generating zones for rogue officials. He named Sector 26 Green Market as a frequent hotspot where farmers and transporters are allegedly harassed for bribes.
Media reports, cited in the memorandum, back these claims, with repeated complaints about traffic officials misusing their authority for monetary gain rather than genuine law enforcement.
Call for Accountability and Reform
In his letter, Bansal demanded immediate intervention from the UT Administrator. He urged for:
- Removal of unnecessary checkpoints targeting outstation vehicles
- Disciplinary action against errant traffic police officials
- Greater transparency in the deployment and function of surveillance cameras
- Safeguards to ensure outstation commuters aren’t unfairly penalized
“Chandigarh must be a welcoming city, not a zone of fear for its neighbors,” he concluded.