GUWAHATI: The Assam government has reiterated that ambulances, fire tenders and other emergency vehicles must not be obstructed during the chief minister’s convoy movement, following an incident in Silchar where an ambulance was briefly stopped.
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In an official communication dated Wednesday, September 30, ambulances, fire tenders and police response units must be given unhindered passage at all times, irrespective of convoy movement.
Traffic arrangements during VIP movement have been asked to be managed in a way that prevents any delay to emergency vehicles, and the convoy may be paused if required to allow them immediate passage.
The government has also directed that convoy arrangements should not cause unnecessary inconvenience to the general public or unduly disrupt routine traffic.
Officers in charge have been asked to personally monitor compliance and hold officials accountable for any lapse.
The instructions also seek to limit the Chief Minister’s convoy to the minimum number of vehicles required for security and essential operational purposes.
The government further directed that ministers, MLAs, officials and other dignitaries attending the same programme as the Chief Minister should not form part of or travel alongside his convoy. They have been asked to either reach the destination in advance or travel separately after the Chief Minister’s convoy passes.
Escort, pilot and security vehicles attached to accompanying dignitaries have also been directed not to merge with the Chief Minister’s convoy and instead be regulated separately by the local administration and police.
In the official communication, the Chief Minister’s Office said Sarma had expressed strong disapproval over the inconvenience caused to emergency services when the ambulance was stopped by traffic authorities during the passage of his convoy in Silchar.
The government recalled that clear instructions had previously been issued to all District Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police to ensure that emergency vehicles are never obstructed because of VIP convoy movement.
The instructions have been issued as standing directions and circulated to District Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police across Assam for strict compliance. The government said any deviation would be viewed seriously.
