Bhubaneswar: From chewing tobacco on duty, not wearing helmet, riding cars and two –wheeler on footpaths made for pedestrians and cyclists, the cops seem to throw aside the rules set by themselves for the smooth run of the Men’s Hockey World Cup, 2018 here in the Capital city.
Even as the cops are the ones who make the rules, they are the ones who first break the rules. This has become a day to day nuisance of the cops. Despite repeated complaints and resentment by common people, the cops pay no heed and instead act obnoxious.
While the cops are supposed to set an example for others, they themselves are the rule breakers.
It may be noted here that the state government launched the ‘Mo Cycle’ under Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL). To provide cycle facilities for tourists and youths, the state government built special cycle tracks painted in red alongside the NH.
These tracks are meant to be only to cycle riders. However, the cops themselves seem to be least bothered about the rules and can be seen parking their vehicles on the tracks. On the other hand, they collect fines from commuters on the cycle tracks.
In a bizarre incident, a police SI was seen riding his two-wheeler on the cycle tracks near Nicco Park road to Acharya Vihar. Instead of taking fines or asking him to ride his bike on the road, the traffic cops saluted him as he rode off.
However, the cops, on the other hand, are collecting fines from common people for the same. This has been highly condemned by netizens.
Monu Ahuja, who has come to witness the Hockey match said, “Bhubaneswar is a beautiful city. However, I fear to use the cycle tracks due to speeding bikes and illegal parking. It clearly shows that the cops are not doing their duty properly.”
Similarly, a lawyer Smrutiranjan Samal said, “the government is spending crores of rupees for the development of the city. However, some mischievous people are intentionally breaking the rules. This not only gives a bad picture to tourists and foreigners who have come from abroad to witness the Hockey match, but also puts the lives of people in danger.”
It may be noted here that a total of 400 cycle stations have been created in Bhubaneswar for tourists.
PNN
