Protest rallies taken out by various organisations in support of their demands threw traffic in the State Capital out of gear on Wednesday.
At Doon Hospital, Clock Tower, Survey Chowk, Dilaram Chowk and other places, the scene was the same as the vehicles moved at snail’s pace with public transport taking over an hour more than the normal to reach destination. long queues of vehicles were seen stuck up at various crossings in the city, especially around noon.
Commuters were also found stuck up in the long traffic snarls. Police personnel remained deployed at each of the important crossings to unclog the snarls if they happened due to the agitations lined up for the day. However, their presence failed to be of any avail to the suffering commuters, as they looked more engaged in keeping order rather than unclogging the traffic snarl.
Rohan Bisht, a resident of Sahastradhara, said that the police should act strictly and should not allow the activists to rally right in the city to spare the commuters of traffic jam that are now occurring almost on a daily basis. Traffic police personnel who are found remaining mute spectators during such times should be directed strictly to enforce traffic rules effectively, he added.
Anuradha Bhatt, a resident of Kewal Vihar, said that the people should come in terms with their responsibility, that is to follow the traffic rules. Traffic jams also occur with people driving cars and riding two-wheelers flouting traffic rules with impunity. These cases should be dealt with strictly, he added.
Uttarakhand Treasury Employees’ Santaghan staged a rally in support of their demand on the rectification of the existing pay anomalies. Works related to disposal of salary and pension, the deposition and withdrawal of the money were adversely affected due to their agitation.
In another stir, Uttarakhand Public Works Department ministerial association staged a sit-in at the office of chief executive engineer at Yamuna Colony and demanded correction of the promotional irregularity by the State government. Besides, they demanded that the order of promotion for the employees should be immediately issued.
At another remove, UPNl Employees’ Federation staged a rally from Parade Ground to Collectorate and shouted slogans against the State Government on Tuesday.
They demanded regularization of jobs for the contractual employees and submitted a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister and Sainik Kalyan Minister through the office of the city magistrate.