No written orders, chaos reigns at Gurugram-Delhi border

Tribune Reporters

Gurugram, June 1

Day 1 of Unlock 1.0 was marked with utter confusion at the Delhi-Gurugram border, with the police of both states confused over sealing.

Following the MHA norms, the Haryana Government unsealed all state borders with Delhi, but the Gurugram police continued to allow only commuters with e-passes or those engaged in essential services as they awaited written directions.

The expressway was blocked as checking of passes was cumbersome on the flyover. Vehicles were allowed to enter Delhi through commercial toll gates. However, with word spreading about opening of borders, the police allowed vehicles free movement.

Commuters, however, were in for another shock as Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal soon after announced sealing of borders, except for essential service providers. Though it had no written orders, the Delhi Police at Rajokri and Kapasera borders barred entry and exit from the city for all, except those in essential services or pass holders. This led to major traffic snarls for about two hours. The police had received no written orders on sealing the border till late evening. It then decided to follow MHA norms and allowed vehicle movement.

The day-long drama and confusion left travellers harried and they voiced their concerns on social media.

A senior police official from Gurugram, not wanting to be named, said, “Confusion still persists. Neither the Delhi Police nor the Gurugram police have any written orders from the respective states.”

In Faridabad, despite the Centre’s orders to open inter-state borders from Monday, the movement of vehicles remained restricted and only commuters with e-passes or those in essential services were allowed to move.

Claiming that no change had come into effect, DC Yashpal Yadav said movement from the Faridabad side was being regulated as usual and no one without pass or official nod was allowed to enter the district. He said any change in regulation would take place only after issuance of fresh orders by the state.