NEW DELHI: Life is no vicious cycle for MPs who believe two wheels better, four wheels bad when they are bound for Parliament. During the ongoing Budget Session, when Odd-even 2.0 was in force. Bikaner MP Arjun Ram Meghwal, Shahjahanpur MP Krishna Raj, Rajya Sabha member from Madhya Pradesh Anil Madhav Dave and his counterpart from Gujarat Mansukh L Mandaviya and nominated member K T S Tulsi are five lawmakers who cycle to Parliament House. But all are not happy with the experience. Meghwal and Dave complain they were harassed by traffic cops and security personnel, and their tyres were punctured when parked at Parliament. The other three, however, found it a pleasant experience, in spite of the 40 degrees roasting Delhi.
All the five MPs who cycle to Parliament are not happy with their experience. The positive ones claim that their journey was exciting but also believe that speeding drivers have no respect for cyclists. They are also unhappy about their experience at traffic intersections.
Bikaner MP Arjun Ram Meghwal has filed a complaint to the Parliament House Committee. He had called Delhi Police chief Alok Kumar Verma to complain that his cycle tyres were punctured four times at the Parliament House parking. He also accused the traffic police of misbehaving and not making arrangements for cyclists at traffic intersections. “My cycle tyres were punctured many times in the House. I had to walk back with my cycle,” Meghwal told The Sunday Standard. He also admitted that at traffic intersections he was scared to death to cross the road.
Dave was initially harassed by security and traffic personnel. Eventually, when they came to know that he was an MP, they were very receptive. “I had to show my identity card each time. Now since they know me, they welcome me,” Dave said. He confessed that he is very scared of rashly driven DTC buses. “I have objected to speeding cars but it was of no use. Moreover, what can the traffic police do when there is no traffic sense among people?” he asks. Initially he would lock his bicycle on the Parliament House premises before he realised that it was one of the most secure areas in the country. Krishna Raj said she rides only once in a week. “We faced problems but a kilometre bicycle ride from my house is quite pleasant. There should be cycle tracks,” she said.
K T S Tulsi is elated cycling to Parliament.