BSNL Director’s Prayagraj visit cancelled after ‘VIP Protocol’ document sparks outrage

A planned official visit by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Director Vivek Banzal to Prayagraj on February 25 was reportedly  cancelled after an internal protocol detailing elaborate arrangements for the trip went viral on social media, triggering sharp criticism over alleged VIP culture and possible misuse of public resources.

What was initially described as a routine official tour quickly snowballed into controversy when a minute-to-minute plan prepared for the visit began circulating online. The document, issued on February 19 at the Deputy General Manager (DGM) level, outlined comprehensive arrangements covering everything from reception logistics and transportation to meals, religious visits and personal comfort measures.

More than 50 BSNL officers and staff members were reportedly assigned specific duties to ensure the visit proceeded smoothly. Separate teams were tasked with managing the director’s movement, hospitality, bathing arrangements and post-visit logistics.

Detailed instructions were reportedly issued for preparations related to a proposed Sangam bath at the Triveni Sangam, including the arrangement of multiple bath kits, towels and the proper handling of personal belongings after bathing.

The plan also included escort services, refreshments and coordinated visits to prominent religious sites in Prayagraj. The level of detail in the protocol from daily scheduling to post-bath arrangements drew strong reactions online, with several social media users describing it as a “royal protocol” rather than a standard official visit.

As the document spread across platforms, criticism mounted over what many perceived as excessive VIP-style treatment for a public sector official. The episode reignited broader debates around administrative priorities and the use of resources within government-run undertakings.

In the wake of the backlash and after the matter reportedly reached higher authorities, the February 25 visit was called off within a day of the protocol going viral. BSNL Public Relations Officer Ashish Gupta confirmed that the director’s Prayagraj programme had been withdrawn and stated that the previously issued protocol should now be treated as invalid. He declined to comment further on the controversy surrounding the arrangements.