VIP movements need to be more considerate

The sufferings of Bangladesh's commuters are endless. Our misery is further compounded by VIP movements, when the crawl comes to a complete standstill as law enforcers forcefully clear the roads for VIPs to move seamlessly.

While it's important that they have fast commute, the VIP movement protocols are massively flawed. The roads and footpaths are closed long before they pass through the motorways, worsening an already grim traffic situation. The tone-deaf rules border into blatant disregard for the comfort of commuters, putting them in a fix.

Most VIPs move with a fleet of cars, comprising of security personnel and an entourage that is often larger than what one might consider reasonable. To make room for such a large number of vehicles, law enforcers are left with no choice but to empty the roads altogether.

In many instances, these movements happen unexpectedly. So, commuters are caught by surprise as cops desperately wolf down on them to clear the roads. The pedestrians aren't left alone either, with the footpaths inexplicably closed for VIPs moving in luxury cars using motorways.

Keen to make their presence felt, politicians often use VIP movements as a means of creating political spectacle. They use travels to flex their power, support and influence. The template is all too familiar – come out unannounced with a huge fleet of motorcycles, blocking major roads and chanting slogans as motorists and pedestrians are left trapped in their wake.

The heat of the problematic VIP movements is felt far-and-wide. Stuck in roads for an extended period of time, vital work-hours are lost. As a result, our productivity decreases as we are already tired by the time we reach our schools or offices. Students might even end up missing their all-important classes or exams, negatively affecting their academics.

Commuters aren't helped by rogue VIPs either. In the past, we have seen cases where they twisted the rules. They show indifference to the travellers who might be in dire need to reach their destinations, prioritising their personal wishes over the needs of people they swore to serve.

For ailing patients, it's even worse. The 2019 Shariatpur incident is one of the most high-profile examples where an 11-year-old boy, stuck in ambulance, succumbed to internal bleeding as his ferry was kept waiting by the deputy district commissioner for his subordinates. It's morally wrong to make room for an exclusive class of society, while many suffer the trauma of losing their loved ones for not receiving treatment on time.

With the failings of the current procedures being crystal clear, it's time for a change. And it doesn't need to be revolutionary either. Simple steps like strict monitoring can guarantee VIPs don't break traffic rules. Footpaths should be kept open no matter what, because they ultimately use motorways.

For political parties claiming to 'serve the masses,' it's time they heeded their motto for travelling too. Instead of creating sensational spectacles, politicians' commuting should be with minimum fuss and entourage. In that way, cops won't need to clear out swathes of roads, unless it's one of the rare VVIP movements.

Even then, all VVIP movements should be announced beforehand, so commuters can use alternative routes. If all this is ensured, vital work-hours and even lives can be saved in the roads, which will be beneficial for our development in the long run.

Reference

The Daily Star. July 2019. Injured teen dies on ferry as it waits 3 hrs for official

Inqiad is a long-suffering Man United fan and a self-proclaimed Targaryen. Contact him at inqiadali007@gmail.com