Republic Day: Security beefed up in Patna, traffic curbs put in place

PATNA: Security has been tightened in the city, especially in and around Gandhi Maidan where the Republic Day function will be held on January 26 amid Covid restrictions. The final dress rehearsal will be conducted on Monday in the presence of Patna divisional commissioner Kumar Ravi and other senior officials.
The Patna traffic police on Sunday issued a traffic advisory to ensure safe and smooth vehicular movement during the R-Day function.Traffic will be restricted on several routes in the city during the function, especially near Gandhi Maidan, from 7am on Wednesday till the main function is over. The main function will begin at 9am with flag hoisting at Gandhi Maidan.
As per the traffic plan, no vehicle will be allowed on the western flank of Fraser Road from Dak Bungalow roundabout to Children’s Park near Gandhi Maidan, as it will be reserved for the movement of governor, chief minister and other VVIPs. Similarly, entry of vehicle from Patna Junction flyover towards Ramgoolam Chowk near Gandhi Maidan and New Dak Bungalow Road towards S P Verma Road will be prohibited.
All east-bound routes from Kotwali police station ‘T-point’ to Police Lines will remain closed for common people till the end of the programme. The vehicles going to the north of Voltas Mor near Planetarium will be allowed only up to the tri-junction near Police Lines via Budh Marg.
Private vehicles coming towards Gandhi Maidan from Ashok Rajpath or Bari Path, can go from Ramgoolam Chowk to South Exhibition Road from the outer flank of the road. Vehicles going from Police Lines Tiraha to east of PMCH can use Ashok Rajpath from the outer/north flank of Gandhi Maidan.
No vehicular traffic will be allowed from Deshratna Marg to Dak Bungalow roundabout and from Dak Bungalow roundabout to JP roundabout from 7am till the end of the function at Gandhi Maidan. Movement of heavy or commercial vehicles will not be allowed towards Budh Marg from Mithapur ROB, Goria Toli from Chiraiyantand Durga temple, R-Block to Income Tax roundabout and from Dumra Chowki to Bhattacharya Chowk.
Private vehicles will be allowed to move from Patna Junction to Dak Bungalow roundabout, Bhattacharya Road, Pirmuhani and Nala Road.
Meanwhile, entry gates for vehicles have been allotted as per the colour of cards to the dignitaries invited in the function.
The vehicles can be parked at designated places based on the invitation card. The chief guests will be allowed to enter Gandhi Maidan from gate number 1.