Two city traffic policemen have won fulsome praise and reward from their department for quick thinking in allowing an ambulance ahead of President Pranab Mukherjee's convoy during his recent visit here.
Traffic Sub-Inspector M L Nijlingappa with about 38 years of experience along with his subordinate Vishwanath was on duty at the city's busy Trinity Junction when the incident happened on June 17.
Senior police officials said as the two policemen saw an ambulance heading towards a private hospital stuck in the traffic that was halted for the Presidents movement, they took a split-second decision and allowed it to go.
Their spot decision came even as the Presidents convoy was just a couple of minutes away from the junction.
"Sh Nijlingappa, PSI-8, Ulsoor Tr PS, allowed the ambulance before President of India's convoy at Trinity junction and he took reward for deftly allowing the ambulance before the 1st citizen of India," Bengaluru Traffic Police posted on its Face book page.
Both Nijalingappa and Vishwanatah have earned approbation from social media users for their presence of mind and quick decision. City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood has rewarded both the police men.
Sood in a tweet also said "... Its not as simple as it appears. Situation in field is (more) complicated than it appears. Consequences can be either way."
The president was in the city to attend a Bengaluru metro rail function.
The incident has come as a positive sign for the city traffic police, which had come under severe criticism for stopping ambulances to allow the convoys of the chief minister and home Minister, following which the city police chief had issued strict instructions to give priority to the movement of ambulances.
