Puri: Elaborate security measures have been taken and traffic restrictions imposed in Odisha’s Puri town to ensure security and smooth movement during the visit of President Draupadi Murmu on February 3 and 4.
Authorities issued a detailed public advisory on Monday outlining a No Vehicle Zone and alternate routes for various types of vehicles, urging residents and tourists to plan accordingly for the 2 days during the presidential visit.
Puri SP Prateek Singh said the President will land by chopper in the evening of February 3 and then stay overnight. The next day, she will visit the Shree Jagannath Temple for which elaborate arrangements have been made.
“We have arranged for a total of 30 platoons of force, and across the different locations, there will be six Commandant-rank officers. Other officers of various ranks will be under their command. We have kept the entire city under a security cordon. We are conducting regular roadblocks, and a check is underway at hotels, railway stations, and all other places,” Singh said.
On February 3, from 2 pm until the President’s arrival, vehicular movement will be strictly prohibited from Helipad Chhaka to Lok Bhaban via Subash Bose Chhaka. The restrictions will intensify on February 4, starting at 5 am and continuing until the President’s departure. During this period, the ‘No Vehicle Zone’ will extend from Lok Bhaban to Grand Center at Bada Danda via VIP Road, and from Grand Centre to Helipad via Subash Bose Chhaka and CT Road.
To manage the influx of vehicles, especially from tourist-heavy areas, specific parking and routing instructions have been issued:
Buses, including those arriving from Konark, must park at the Talabania Sweet Water Zone
Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and Cars:
– From Konark: Vehicles should follow Baidas Nagar – ROB – Batagaon – Atharanala – Banamber Crossing – Kumbharpada PS – Bada Sankha – Red Cross Road. The same route applies for return
– From Bhubaneswar: The designated route is Batagaon – Atharanala – Banamber Crossing – Kumbharpada PS – Bada Sankha – Red Cross Road
Bikes and Three-Wheelers:
o From Konark: The route includes Bhudan Chhaka – Central School – PKRIT Chhaka – PKRIT Colony – Water Works Road – Shree Khetra Colony – Ram Mandir – Ghoda Bazar – Red Cross Road – Bada Sankha. For return, riders must follow Red Cross Road – Ghoda Bazar – Ram Mandir – Block Office – Odisha Bakery – PKRIT Colony – PKRIT Chhaka – Central School – Bhudan Chhaka
o From Bhubaneswar: The route remains Batagaon – Atharanala – Banamber Crossing – Kumbharpada PS – Bada Sankha – Red Cross Road, both ways
o For those heading to the Sea Beach area from Bhubaneswar, the route is Mangalaghat Chhaka – Sterling Chhaka – Chaitanya Chhaka – Digabareni, with the same return path
Additionally, no vehicle will be permitted to enter Subash Bose Chhaka from Acharya Harihar Chhaka during the restriction period. These measures are part of a comprehensive traffic management plan aimed at minimizing disruption while ensuring the safety and dignity of the President’s visit. Residents and visitors are advised to adhere strictly to the guidelines and cooperate with traffic personnel to avoid inconvenience.
