New rules seeking checks and passes irk walkers in Vellore Fort

Prior to the lockdown, it was a regular feature for walkers from the town to either go around the two grounds inside or walk on the ramparts. However, following the Centre and state governments easing lockdown over the months, the district administration received numerous petitions from walkers “requesting that they be allowed to start their daily walks inside the fort,” said regular walker M Moorthy.

The administration announced that walkers would be allowed inside the Fort from November 10 and that they could not bring in electronic gadgets – read cell phones, food and musical instruments along.

Walkers were taken aback when the district administration revealed that those intending to use the historic facility for their daily fitness routine would have to get a verification certificate from the Vellore north police station located opposite the Fort after which they have to get an entry pass from the ASI (Archeological Survey of India) senior conservation assistant in charge of the historic monument.

A visibly peeved Moorthy said, “what is the need for such new rules when the simple thing would be to post a couple of constables inside at vantage points to prevent anything untoward from happening? With most walkers being in their late fifties or early sixties, the rule will only dampen their spirit.”

Sekaran, another walker said, “known as the police are for their attitude to anybody who approaches them for such certificates, issue of verification certificates can be wantonly delayed. And then we have to follow a similar procedure with the ASI official which simply means that officialdom is only placing obstacles in our path to ensure that nobody enters the Fort.”

“It is well known that serious walkers complete their daily routine on or before 9 am and tourists enter the premises only after 10 am,” said Nagarathinam, another walker. Hence in the fitness of things, the administration should ensure that walkers are allowed without certificates as before the lockdown, he added.