Elaborate traffic measures for Durga Puja in city

Bhubaneswar: Traffic police have made elaborate arrangements to avoid congestion in the city during Durga Puja festivities.

“Route restrictions will remain in force till October 1 (from 4 pm to 2 pm). Eight platoons of traffic personnel have been deployed at major junctions and intersections including Kalpana, NALCO, Rupali and Acharya Vihar Squares here to ensure smooth flow of vehicles on these routes,” said Traffic ACP Jatin Panda.

Parking of vehicles will be allowed at designated places only. The illegally parked vehicles will be towed away using cranes, he added.

No heavy vehicles will be allowed to ply on the city roads except the flyovers on the national highway passing through the city, a police notification said. For the convenience of people, passenger buses from Puri will be allowed in the city and the buses will reach Baramunda via Lingipur, Samantarapur, Rajmahal, Sishu Bhavan, Ganganagar and Fire Station. In the reverse direction, passenger buses from Bhubaneswar will take the same route and pass through Mausima Square from Sishu Bhavan Square and reach Kalpana Square.

Watch towers have been set up near Rasulgarh and Nayapalli pandals, which are located beside the national highway, to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.

The cops also requested city denizens to use public transport during Puja.