Kataka: The Commissionerate Police has deployed 60 platoons of police personnel in Kataka (formerly known as Cuttack) to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of Durga Puja immersion processions on Thursday.
Elaborate security and traffic management arrangements have been made across the city to prevent untoward incidents and facilitate the smooth movement of the Durga Medhas (processional tableaux carrying idols of Goddess Durga).
Additional Commissioner of Police Narsingha Bhol said discussions had been held with all puja committees and expressed confidence that the immersion processions would be conducted peacefully this year.
The Commissionerate Police has also issued a public notice imposing traffic restrictions across Kataka from 7 am on October 22 until the conclusion of the immersion festival on October 23.
Under the restrictions, vehicles will be diverted at several major junctions and roads along the immersion routes. The measures are aimed at ensuring public safety and preventing congestion as the processional tableaux move through the city.
Vehicles coming from OMP Square via the Malgodown flyover will not be allowed to proceed straight towards College Square at designated junctions near Ravenshaw College, Bombay Hotel Square and Post Office Square. Commuters can use the alternative route via Bombay Hotel and I Love Cuttack towards Jobra Anicut Square.
Similarly, traffic movement will be regulated around Ranihat, Mangalabag, Howrah Motor Square, Buxi Bazaar, Barapathar, Trikonia Bagicha, Jail Road and other key locations during the movement of the tableaux.
Vehicles will also face restrictions on several stretches connecting Puri Ghat, the Kathajodi embankment road and the Kathajodi and Mahanadi ring roads.
The police have advised commuters to follow diversion signs and plan their journeys accordingly.
Designated parking facilities:
People arriving to witness the immersion processions can park their vehicles at designated locations across the city. The designated parking areas include:
- Upper and Lower Bali Jatra grounds
- Ravenshaw Collegiate School field and Ravenshaw Girls’ High School parking area
- Bidanasi High School premises
- Christian Ground and Chauliajang Playground
- Old Puri Bus Stand and Old Badambadi Bus Stand
- Parking areas along Mahanadi Ring Road near Kathagola, Shri Maa Hospital, Bose Engineering College and Mata Math
- Netaji Museum parking area
- Shaheed Bhavan, INOX and KMC Kalyani Mandap parking facilities
- Kar Palace and Machhua Bazaar parking areas
- Sunshine Playground and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Memorial College (City College)
Separate parking arrangements have also been specified for two-wheelers and four-wheelers at various locations.
Emergency vehicles exempted: The traffic restrictions will not apply to police vehicles, fire engines, ambulances, excise vehicles and other emergency vehicles.
The Commissionerate Police has warned that violations of the order will attract action under Section 96 of the Odisha Urban Police Act, 2003.
The police have appealed to residents and visitors to cooperate with the traffic management arrangements to ensure that the annual immersion festival passes off peacefully.