Delhi transport minister Gopal Rai blames police for traffic snarls on car-free day

While Rai has blamed the police for traffic snarls in East Delhi, police sources have claimed that the minister had rejected their suggestions about changing the venue of the event.

PWD minister Satyendar Jain and Transport Minister Gopal Rai at the Indian Express Idea Exchange Friday. (Source: Express Photo by Ravi Kanojia)

In a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Transport Minister Gopal Rai has urged him to direct the Delhi Police to support the AAP government’s initiatives on car-free days. While Rai has blamed the police for traffic snarls in East Delhi, where the third car-free day was observed on December 22, police sources have claimed that the minister had rejected their suggestions about changing the venue of the event.

“The representatives of Delhi Police and Traffic Police were found stopping two-wheelers, taxis and even buses, causing huge traffic congestion in nearby areas. This act has put the Delhi government in a poor light…,” Rai said in the letter.

However, sources said that officials of East District Police and Traffic Police had met Rai twice and urged him to change the venue of the event, as it was likely to cause traffic jams in the busy area. “Two alternative venues were also suggested, but the minister rejected the proposal,” they said.

Mahender Singh Manral

Mahender Singh Manral is an Assistant Editor with the national bureau of The Indian Express. He is known for his impactful and breaking stories. He covers the Ministry of Home Affairs, Investigative Agencies, National Investigative Agency, Central Bureau of Investigation, Law Enforcement Agencies, Paramilitary Forces, and internal security. Prior to this, Manral had extensively reported on city-based crime stories along with that he also covered the anti-corruption branch of the Delhi government for a decade. He is known for his knack for News and a detailed understanding of stories. He also worked with Mail Today as a senior correspondent for eleven months. He has also worked with The Pioneer for two years where he was exclusively covering crime beat. During his initial days of the career he also worked with The Statesman newspaper in the national capital, where he was entrusted with beats like crime, education, and the Delhi Jal Board. A graduate in Mass Communication, Manral is always in search of stories that impact lives. ... Read More

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Car Free Day