Long lines at checkposts on dist borders irk travellers

Hubballi: In the wake of the model code of conduct being in force, the district administrations have set up checkposts at district borders and strategic points.
As there will be four-five staff at the posts, they take more time to check all vehicles. It results in long queues in the scorching heat. Thanks to such hurdles, people are travelling keeping their bags and luggages in the open.
Veeru Uppin, a techie in Hubballi, told TOI that he travelled from Hubballi to Koppal, a distance of 110 km. “Our car was checked at Gadag entrance and Koppal entrance and at Gadag entrance, and Hubballi entrance. It took half-an-hour more for my journey. Since it’s election time, we cooperated with the police to check our dashboard and boot. The Election Commission should utilise technology to check our vehicles in a speedy manner,” he shared.
Amruth Joshi, a freelance writer, said he travelled from Hosapete to Hubballi and faced checking at four places.
“Irked by repeated checking, we kept our bags open so that police can have look quickly. As soon as we were halted, we were opening the dashboard and the boot without waiting for their instruction. Seeing our quick action, they were also letting us go quickly,” he added.
He suggested that the authorities adopt some technology and issue coupons after the vehicles are checked with the date and time of checking.
Basu Goudar, a finance manager, said police are not capable of checking documents related to cash. “We recover interest and principal amount from our customers, who are mainly rural people and make payment in cash. We carry related documents along with the cash. However, whenever they see cash over Rs 50,000, they just seize it and force us to face the case. When they refer it to income tax officials, we will get clearance and prove we are clean handed. But the trauma of facing consequences is not acceptable,” he added.
A staff posted at the checkpost at Dharwad entrance said that sometimes the queue grows during peak hours as they are understaffed. “Sometimes, we allow vehicles to move, if we find it’s not suspicious,” he added.