By Jaideep Sarin, IANS
Chandigarh : Scores of gun-toting, cane-wielding policemen descended on the ‘geri route’, often called Chandigarh’s romance street, Thursday morning to keep lovelorn youngsters from going overboard this Valentine’s Day.
Hundreds of police personnel and officials, including policewomen, were on duty on this road popular among youngsters and at some other vantage points across the city identified with lovebirds indulging in V-day revelry.
The ‘geri route’, spread over Sectors 10 and 11, looked like a fortress with policemen and women in khaki dotting the entire two-km stretch – even barricading and sealing off some parts of the road. Boards were put up on the barricades saying that the area was a ‘no-vehicle zone’. Over 1,000 police personnel were on Valentine’s Day duty.
“I don’t understand what we (police) are doing here. If someone tries to kiss somebody here, am I supposed to hit him on his head with my stick?” rued a constable.
The name ‘geri’ (rounds) is thanks to the numerous youngsters who promenade in this area in their vehicles every day.
With several colleges and other educational institutions housed in Sectors 10 and 11, the ‘geri route’ has been a popular hangout place for youngsters for over two decades now.
Untoward incidents in this street in the last few years have forced the police to descend on this road on occasions like Valentine’s Day and Holi.
But despite the elaborate security, those selling heart-shaped balloons and other items associated with V-day were present in strength.
Gifts, flowers and coffee shops in the two markets were decorated to make the most of V-day.
“Despite the police presence, many youngsters still want to go on the geri route for fun. Though the presence of police is discouraging, the place is lively enough,” said Geetika Mathur, a college student.
However, youngsters and old-timers alike agreed this year that the rush of youngsters on the ‘geri route’ and another popular place – the Panjab University students centre – was far lower compared to previous years.
“Most youngsters avoid these two places now as they have other options of going on a drive or landing up at discos and clubs,” said university student Amit Sharma.
As the police focussed on V-day, chaos reigned on city roads, especially on the Madhya Marg and Dakshin Marg with traffic jams at almost all roundabouts and traffic intersections.