Due to the inconvenience, it can cause to motorists, Karnataka's new Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, decided on Sunday (May 21) to discontinue the "zero-traffic" privilege for his motorcade or convoy while travelling in the city.
In a Tweet, Siddaramaiah said: "I have asked Bengaluru City Police Commissioner to take back the 'Zero Traffic' protocol for my vehicular movement. I have taken the decision after seeing the problems faced by the people travelling along the stretch where there are restrictions due to 'zero traffic".
When top state dignitaries travel by road, zero traffic protocols are used, and the police impose traffic restrictions on the public until they pass. Former Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and former Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra have previously denied the Zero Traffic protocol. Siddaramaiah also decided not to accept public garlands and shawls beginning Monday.
"This applies to my home, office, and public functions as well. Those who want to show love and respect through offerings can give books. May all your love and admiration always be on me," Siddaramaiah tweeted.
On Saturday, Siddaramaiah was sworn in as Karnataka chief minister alongside eight Congress MLAs, including Mallikarjun Kharge's son Priyank and ex-deputy chief minister G Parameshwara.
READ | Karnataka: 23-Yr-Old Woman Techie Dies After Car Enters Flooded Bengaluru Underpass
K H Muniyappa, M B Patil, K J George, Ramalinga Reddy, and B Z Zameer Ahmed Khan were the last ministers to be sworn in.