CM Siddaramaiah cancels ‘zero traffic’ protocol, cites problems faced by citizens | Azad Times

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is cancelling the 'Zero Traffic' protocol employed while he travels on road. The Chief Minister announced his decision, asking Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, "to take back the" protocol for his vehicular movement. He added that the decision was made after "seeing the problems faced by the people travelling along the stretch where there are restrictions due to 'zero traffic.'" 

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) May 21, 2023

Zero traffic protocols are used when top dignitaries of the state travel by road and the police impose traffic restrictions on the public until they pass.

The CM’s decision comes immediately after the death of a woman who was trapped in a car in Bengaluru during the heavy rains on Sunday. The woman Bhanu Rekha, only 22 years old, was in the car with her family and a driver, at the KR Circle underpass, when water from the rain flowed to the area and caused them to be trapped inside. Five others with her were, however, rescued.

CM Siddaramaiah visited the hospital, to understand the situation, and announced a compensation of five lakh rupees to the bereaved family.

Parts of Bengaluru were affected by the heavy rain lashing the city on Sunday, several areas also witnessing hail storms. The India Meteorological Department had predicted rain and thundershowers in Bengaluru Urban on Sunday. More rain is expected in the district until May 25. Areas predicted to have rain and thunderstorms are Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Kodagu, Mandya, Mysuru and Chitradurga.

In 2021, Basavaraja Bommai, former Chief Minister of Karnataka had also requested the traffic police to do away with zero traffic privilege for his convoy.