Don’t break rules, Suvendu tells convoy, goes the extra mile

Kolkata: In a rare break in Bengal's VIP culture, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari has issued a strict directive to Kolkata Police, asking them to ensure his official convoy never breaks traffic signals or disrupts public movement.The order came after CM Adhikari personally intervened during a traffic breach on Red Road, signalling that he would rather travel a longer distance or use an alternative road than stop traffic.The incident occurred when Adhikari was travelling towards the PWD tent in the Maidan area via Red Road on Tuesday. CM Adhikari was scheduled to hold a meeting there. As the VVIP convoy approached the tent, the traffic coming from the Mayo Road-Red Road crossing and moving further south was halted so that the convoy could turn right.Adhering to traditional security protocol, on-duty policemen immediately prepared to override the through green signal to clear the route for the chief minister's fast passage.Observing the officers' actions, Adhikari summoned the senior police officer and said that he would prefer travelling all the way from Fort William to the Mayo Road crossing, take a U-turn and then enter the tent.According to high-level sources, the CM told the officer that such preferential treatment was not required, adding: "I am not that kind of chief minister. I will always abide by the law."Adhikari has been telling the police that his vehicle and the accompanying security detail must patiently wait at traffic signals like ordinary citizens. He clarified that while security protocols allow the police to strategically reroute his convoy through alternative passages if necessary, breaking traffic signals or causing public harassment under the guise of VVIP movement will no longer be accepted.Lalbazar police headquarters confirmed that this directive was being strictly enforced across Kolkata with immediate effect. Even when CM Adhikari visited the busy seven-point crossing at Park Circus, his convoy did not stop normal traffic and both-way movement continued even as his small convoy was parked beside the DC-SED office on Syed Amir Ali Avenue.Since taking the chief minister's office, Adhikari has introduced a series of administrative reforms, balancing complete operational autonomy for the state police with a stern reminder to uphold accountability. By subjecting his own high-security movement to civic regulations, the chief minister has sent a powerful message across the state administration. The move has garnered widespread praise from the public, who hailed it on social media.