Patna: Gandhi Maidan will be partially closed from January 12, 2108, and from January 24 to 26 it will be completely shut for Republic Day celebrations.

Patna divisional commissioner Anand Kishor issued the order on Wednesday during the meeting he chaired with officials concerned at Patna Collectorate.

The meeting was held with regard to preparations being made for the Republic Day parade and flag hoisting at Gandhi Maidan. From January 12, 2018, the rehearsal for the Republic Day parade will start and the last rehearsal will take place on January 24, 2018.

"From January 12 to 23, 2018, only morning walkers will be allowed to enter the Maidan. After that till January 26, 2018, no activities will be allowed inside except work related to Republic Day. The building construction department has been asked to submit the list of the labourers along with their photographs by December 30.

Similarly city SP (central) D Amarkesh will submit the names of police officials deputed inside and outside the ground," Kishor said after the meeting.

From the security point of view, 10 watch towers would be made in the ground spread across 62 acres of land. It is the duty of Amarkesh to identify those 10 places in Gandhi Maidan.

Kishor asked the building construction department to get the approval of the map from district magistrate Sanjay Kumar Agarwal and Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj by January 5, 2018, and start the work of barricade latest by January 10, 2018.

"At any cost the barricade inside the ground should be completed by January 20, 2018, and if there is any pothole on the ground it should be levelled before the rehearsals begin. The nodal officers deputed for the exhibition of the tableau must have proper route for the exit and entry to avoid last-minute rush. Oiling should be also be carried out of all the gates of Gandhi Maidan," Kishor said.

For parade troops like Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Bihar Military Police (BMP), male and female, Home Guards and National Cadet Corps (NCC) have given their approval to take part.

On the day of the parade, 10 medical centres would be opened at the ground and doctors would also be deputed there apart from 10 ambulances.

Patna traffic superintendent of police PK Das was asked to chalk out the plan for Republic Day and accordingly publish it in the local newspaper so that residents do not face any problem.

Instructions were also issued to prune the long grass and make the ground free from all kinds of encroachment. A temporary police station would be also be opened at Gandhi Maidan from January 10, 2018.