PM Narendra Modi on Sunday opted against leaving Delhi airport to make sure that students preparing for the NEET-UG re-examination do not become a nuisance to traffic while en route to exam centres.
The official information states that the PM reached Delhi Airport around 1.15 pm. He decided to hang around the airport as the re-examination of NEET-UG had commenced at 2 pm.
It was decided not to disturb any traffic movement that could have taken place if the Prime Minister’s convoy had to march through the city during a significant day when thousands of students were gathering at examination centres.
The decision took into account the government’s policy and its courtesy to students regarding their convenience and punctuality to their destinations, officials said. Restrictions on some routes, as a consequence of security and traffic requirements for the movement of VIPs, may also be necessary, and the decision of the Prime Minister did not appear to have any impact on the routes during the examination period.
The NEET-UG re-examination was conducted under extremely monitored conditions and with additional focus since there were apprehensions about the medical entrance exam process. Authorities nationwide prepared for the test to be conducted properly and ensure the candidates’ ease during the test.
The Prime Minister was not taken away from the airport until the examination took place, so that normal traffic could be allowed to travel across the National Capital. This gesture was widely talked about as an attempt to postpone protocol issues in favour of pupils’ interests.
NEET-UG is one of the biggest entrance exams across India, with lakhs of students appearing for the exam in a year for admission into the undergraduate medical courses. Authorities made special arrangements to ensure that any possible inconvenience to the candidates would be minimised when the exam is conducted.
Previous airport delays on a major examination day along the Clutha bus route were not only indicative of ensuring a stress-free travel day for students, but also of a growing priority for timely departures for school trips.