Geri route
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
The Geri route is a set of streets in northern Chandigarh where youth, mostly students, regularly drive cars and motorbikes. The word geri means "rounds", and thus the name derives from the "rounds" that people make through the route.{{cite news|title=Dodging the cops on Chandigarh's romance street|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1428921461.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611063613/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P3-1428921461.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 June 2014|accessdate=2 February 2012|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=14 February 2008}} The route, spans from Sectors 8,9,10 to 11, with the core being around DAV College, Home Science College for Girls in Sector-10 and Govt. College for Girls in Sector-11. It has been used in this manner since the 1970s, with the route especially gaining popularity in the 1980s when car ownership became more common among young residents.{{cite news|last=Bali|first=Pawan|title=Policing Valentine? Geri revellers don’t care|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Policing-Valentine-Geri-revellers-dont-care/articleshow/798885.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130610102502/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-02-12/chandigarh/27140872_1_geri-barricades-police|url-status=live|archive-date=10 June 2013|access-date=2 February 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=12 February 2002}}
Google Maps has now changed this street's name from Geri Route to [https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/10,+Azadi+Rte,+10D,+Sector+10,+Chandigarh,+160011/@30.7542776,76.7856088,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x390fed7084f7b81b:0xc660c96b059a15b0!8m2!3d30.754273!4d76.7877975 Azaadi Route] in response to an appeal made by Deeptha Vivekanand as part of Bekhauf Azaadi (fearless freedom) March that came as an outburst after DJ Varnika Kundu was stalked on an August night 2017.
Valentine's Day
Since at least 2001, local police have maintained a strong presence on Valentine's Day to prevent sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, as well as traffic violations.{{cite news|title=Cops outnumber couples on 'geri' route|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/Cops-outnumber-couples-on-geri-route/articleshow/497154.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814123220/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-02-14/chandigarh/28332906_1_geri-couples-sector|url-status=live|archive-date=14 August 2013|access-date=2 February 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=14 February 2004}}{{cite news|title=Heavy security on Chandigarh's 'romance street'|url=http://www.rxpgnews.com/india/Heavy-security-on-Chandigarhs-romance-street_15576.shtml|accessdate=2 February 2012|newspaper=IANS|date=14 February 2007}}{{cite news|title=Police to deploy extra personnel on Valentine’s Day|url=http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Police-to-deploy-extra-personnel-on-Valentines-Day/272442/|accessdate=2 February 2012|newspaper=ExpressIndia|date=13 February 2008}}{{cite news|title=Cops ensure peaceful Valentine's Day for Chandigarh couples|url=http://www.rxpgnews.com/india/Heavy-security-on-Chandigarhs-romance-street_15576.shtml|accessdate=2 February 2012|newspaper=Sify|date=14 February 2011}} In 2007 and 2011, Panjab University, which lies along the route, closed its campus, allowing only those with student permits to enter. In addition, at least as far back as 2002, portions of the route have been barricaded to completely block traffic. The heavy police presence is in part due to documented illegal activities, such as the molestation of women on the route. Police also set up checkpoints and provide other security on Holi.{{cite news|title=Happy Holi! Play well, play safe|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/happy-holi-play-well-play-safe/433420/|accessdate=2 February 2012|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=11 March 2009}}
References
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