Bengaluru braces for mega gridlock as new chief minister takes oath Wednesday

Bengaluru: The city is set to witness heightened security and significant traffic restrictions Wednesday, as the new chief minister takes oath at the Glass House in Lok Bhavan at 4pm.

With several dignitaries, political leaders, and VVIPs from across the country expected to attend, police have announced extensive traffic diversions and parking restrictions across the central business district (CBD) from noon to 8pm. Police have warned commuters to expect heavy congestion around Lok Bhavan, Race Course Road, Cubbon Road, Queens Road, Dr BR Ambedkar Road, and adjoining areas. Access to the venue will be restricted to invited guests.

Several key roads, including stretches of Cubbon Road from BRV Junction to CTO Junction and from CTO Circle to Lok Bhavan, Race Course Road from Trilight Junction to Subbanna Junction, St Mark’s Road towards CTO Junction, Dr BR Ambedkar Road, and routes leading to Lok Bhavan, will remain closed to the general traffic during the event. Motorists travelling towards the airport, Hebbal, Shivajinagar, and other parts of the city have been advised to use alternative routes through Cunningham Road, Vasanth Nagar, Nrupathunga Road, and the Outer Ring Road to head towards KIA.

Parking will be prohibited on more than 20 major roads in and around CBD, including Queens Road, Palace Road, Kasturba Road, Millers Road, Infantry Road, KG Road, Nrupathunga Road, Devaraj Urs Road, Race Course Road, and internal roads within Cubbon Park.

Special parking arrangements have been made for pass holders at Vidhana Soudha and the surrounding areas of Vikasa Soudha, the LH parking area behind Lok Bhavan, and Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium.

For vehicles without passes, parking has been arranged at Kondajji Bhavan, Kanteerava Stadium, UB City, Govt Arts College, Shivajinagar bus stand multi-level parking facility, the corporation office, and Palace Grounds.

Meanwhile, the movement of heavy vehicles across city limits will be completely restricted from noon to 10pm, to facilitate the smooth movement of VVIP convoys and manage the expected crowds. Police have urged citizens to plan their journeys in advance, avoid the CBD area wherever possible, and use public transport to minimise inconvenience.

City police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh held a meeting with his subordinates Tuesday and reviewed the elaborate security measures. Around 2,200 civil police personnel and 1,300 traffic cops will be deployed for the security arrangements.

No-fly zone declared around KPCC office, Shangri-La hotel

Security has been tightened in the city ahead of the chief minister’s swearing-in ceremony and the visit of dignitaries, including Congress leader and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Seemant Kumar Singh has declared a temporary no-fly zone around the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office and Shangri-La Hotel, where Rahul Gandhi is set to stay during his visit.

The operation of drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, gliders, small aircraft, and non-scheduled aircraft will be prohibited within a 1km radius of both locations. Restrictions around the KPCC office will remain in force from 6am to 10pm Wednesday, while the no-fly zone around Shangri-La will be effective from 6am Wednesday to 6pm Thursday.

The measure has been taken to ensure the safety and security of Rahul and the other other VVIPs and delegates. Any unauthorised operation of drones or other aerial devices within the restricted zone will invite legal action.

— TN Laasya