India To Begin Hockey WC Campaign Today; Check Route Map To Rourkela’s Birsa Munda Stadium

Bhubaneswar: The FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 will kick off at 1 pm with a match between Argentina and South Africa at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar. Hosts India will begin its campaign at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela, the other venue for the showpiece event, where it will face Spain.

Rourkela police have issued a route map and put in place an elaborate security arrangement for effective crowd and traffic management.

ROUTE MAP

>> Commuters entering through Vedvyas Chhak would travel through the new Brahmani bridge on NH-143 to Hockey Square.

>> Those entering the city via Hanuman Vatika bypass would take the ring road towards Chhend Colony

>> Commuters from Deogaon side are required to take Hecket road and those coming through Sarna Chowk have to travel towards Chhend Colony Chhak on the ring road.

GATES

For access to Gates 5 and 6 from Chhend Chhak – Take a left turn and reach the stadium via RIMS Chowk & Gates 2 and 3, drive on the ring road till Space Chhak and take a left turn

For access to Gates 5 and 6 from Bondamunda side – Take the ring road via Bisra Chowk, Hanuman Vatika and Chhend Chowk and Gates 2 and 3, people have to take the ring road via Aam Bagan Chhak and Space Chhak.

Six parking spaces have been constructed for ticket holders. While gates 2 and 6 are meant for the general public, gate 1 will be used by VIPs and gate 4 kept reserved. Gate 5 is meant for FIH functionaries and Gate 3 will be used by delegates and administrative authorities, Rourkela SP Mukesh K Bhamoo told the media on Thursday.

At least 56 platoons of police will be deployed during the matches. Two SP rank officers, 11 additional SPs, 21 DSPs, 52 inspectors, 340 SIs/ASIs and 426 home guards will be deployed in and around the venue, he added.

For ticket holders, Mo Bus Service will be free on match days. Visitors have been asked to avoid carrying coins, bags, food packets, water bottles and helmets inside the stadium.