Arjun Singh proposes bikes for VIP pilot duties

Kolkata: West Bengal Transport minister Arjun Singh on Monday proposed replacing traditional pilot cars with agile motorcycles for VIP movements during a programme at the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar. Explaining his suggestion, Singh said that using a car as a VIP pilot requires more than one person, whereas a motorcycle pilot would not require additional manpower. The minister also pointed out that large pilot cars often contribute to severe traffic congestion as they occupy considerable space on the city's narrow streets. Switching to motorcycles, he said, could help address the problem as bikers can manoeuvre through traffic more easily. On Monday, a Japan-based two-wheeler and car manufacturer, which is also popular in India, handed over 50 motorcycles and a car to Kolkata Police under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. On the other hand, Singh has announced plans to launch direct long-distance bus services from Barrackpore to key pilgrimage and travel destinations including Puri, Varanasi, Mathura-Vrindavan, and North Bengal. The bilateral agreement with the Uttar Pradesh government has already been completed, clearing the path for routes to Varanasi and Mathura, while negotiations with the Odisha government for the Puri route are in their final stages.