The visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Panchkula on Tuesday brought the twin cities of Chandigarh and Panchkula to a virtual standstill. Widespread traffic congestion and significant public disruption were reported across the region, leading to intense criticism from residents, traders, and opposition leaders alike.
City Paralyzed by Restrictions and Jams
Large-scale road closures and multiple movement restrictions were implemented for security during the high-profile visit. This resulted in extensive traffic snarls, causing major inconvenience to daily commuters, local residents, patients, and business owners. Many found themselves trapped in slow-moving or completely stationary vehicles for hours.
Congress leader from Panchkula, Naveen Bansal, slammed the administration's arrangements. He stated that while several leaders had visited the city before, this was the first time citizens faced what he termed a "curfew-like situation." He highlighted the plight of traders who suffered heavy losses as parking areas remained empty and customers could not access markets. Patients also struggled to reach hospitals, and many people took nearly one and a half to two hours to get home due to diversions and blockades.
Social Media Erupts with Public Anger
Public frustration boiled over on social media platforms, where residents shared their harrowing experiences. Many accused authorities of prioritizing VIP movement over public convenience. A common complaint was being forced to wait for over an hour at busy junctions for the VIP convoy to pass.
Several posts raised alarm about ambulances getting stuck in the traffic on the Panchkula-Chandigarh route, questioning access to emergency medical care during the prolonged blockade. Residents living near the VIP routes described the day as a "virtual house arrest," unable to leave their homes freely due to barricades.
Individual accounts painted a clear picture of the chaos:
- Kanwal posted on X about standing for an hour in MDC Sector 4, Panchkula, waiting for the convoy.
- Mohit Gupta criticized the VIP culture, noting that thousands, including patients, suffered for the movement of one person.
- Ashish Kishore described it as pure chaos, stating it took over 40 minutes to travel from the BEL light point to Sector 2.
Economic Loss and Failed Planning
The economic impact was severe in commercial hubs. Traders operating near Shalimar Chowk, Tawa Chowk, and other market areas reported deserted shops for most of the day. Parking restrictions and blocked access roads kept customers away, leading to significant business losses.
Although the Panchkula Traffic Police had issued a detailed advisory announcing the complete closure of key routes from 7 am to 8 pm, the ground reality was different. Commuters complained of inadequate traffic management, unclear diversion routes, and poor communication from deployed personnel, which exacerbated the congestion.
The incident has reignited the perennial debate over VIP culture in India and its impact on daily life. Opposition leaders and citizens are demanding better planning for future high-security visits to prevent such widespread disruption and questioning why public convenience must be so severely compromised.
