Chennai: BJP National President and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda was provided with a bulletproof vehicle during his recent visit to Tamil Nadu, said DGP Shankar Jiwal. He clarified that the vehicle developed a rear tyre issue due to overspeeding, not due to any technical fault or safety lapse.
According to the official statement issued by the Tamil Nadu Police, the Minister, who holds āZ+ā category security, arrived in Chennai on May 2. Security arrangements were made as per protocol, including bulletproof vehicles recommended by the central government.
Two bulletproof vehicles were allocated for the Minister and his central security team, along with three vehicles for Tamil Nadu security personnel, an ambulance, and a government escort vehicle.
The DGP noted that the bulletproof vehicle, built at a government-approved facility, is not meant to be driven at high speeds. However, on May 3, after attending a conference at a university, the Minister departed from Vellore at 5:30 PM to catch a flight from Chennai at 8:40 PM.
Around 7:30 PM, while travelling along the VandalaurāMinjur Outer Ring Road near Thirumudivakkam, the vehicle was reportedly driven at 120 km/h following insistence from the Ministerās personal aide. This excessive speed caused friction in the rear tyre, prompting the driver to stop the vehicle safely.
The Minister was immediately shifted to an alternate escort vehicle and taken to the Chennai airport with full security, as per standard protocol.
The police have confirmed that all necessary security measures were followed and the situation was handled promptly without any threat to the Ministerās safety.