Karnataka: Lal battis or not, VIPs will get right of way, says Police

Bengaluru: Lal battis or no lal battis, the routine security arrangements for ministers, top officials and VIPs by the police remains the same, a police officer told Deccan Chronicle, as the May 1 deadline to remove the red beacons nears.

“Bengaluru sees heavy movement of VIP vehicles and chief minister’s convoy. We get the information on VIP movement well in advance and we clear the route. The red beacon hardly makes any difference,” the police officer said.

Police patrol vehicles always lead VIP convoys and police officers in the cavalcade are in constant touch with the staff on the ground, who clear the way, he said.

The notification from the Centre putting an end to the “VIP culture”, which doesn't spare even the Prime Minister and the President of India, has been welcomed by the state government.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy had earlier said that red beacons were not necessary for everyone and the state government had done away with them long ago.

Transport experts pointed out that with all the necessary security arrangements by the police to ensure hassle-free movement of VIP vehicles, red beacons did not matter at all. “The ban on red beacons will bother only those who were using them for personal benefits,” an expert told Deccan Chronicle.