Bhubaneswar, Aug. 14: City police have made elaborate arrangements to regulate traffic for the Independence Day parade that would be held on Mahatma Gandhi Marg tomorrow.

Besides regular deployment of forces around the venue, traffic police would be deployed at every lane that approaches the Mahatma Gandhi Marg. These roads would even be sealed.

Only pedestrians would be allowed entry to the parade venue. There are eight approaching lanes along the 700-metre-long Mahatma Gandhi Marg.

Traffic personnel would also be deployed at the roads joining PMG Square and Master Canteen Square to divert vehicles and guide them to the various parking lots that have been earmarked by the police.

“As the Mahatma Gandhi Marg joins the railway station, people normally take this route to reach many localities. We expect a huge turnout on the occasion for which we will regulate vehicular movement on August 15 from 6.30am till the end of the parade,” said a senior traffic police officer.

A police officer said that all roads leading to Mahatma Gandhi Marg would be blocked as per the powers conferred to the city police under Section 28 of the Orissa Urban Police (OUP) Act, 2003 (Orissa Act 8 of 2007), and in pursuance of clauses 36 and 37 of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissionerate (Traffic and Public Order) Regulations, 2008. Sources said heavy vehicles coming towards Master Canteen would be diverted from Ram Mandir crossing and Rajmahal Square. Only two-wheelers and light vehicles would be allowed to go to Master Canteen. No vehicles would be allowed entry into Mahatma Gandhi Marg.

Similarly, vehicles from Acharya Vihar Square would be diverted before approaching Rabindra Mandap Square, where participants will gather before the parade. On the other side, vehicles approaching the same square from 120 Infantry Battalion Crossing would be diverted through the road into MLA Colony in Unit-IV. Vehicles coming from AG Square would be diverted near Jayadev Bhavan.

A senior officer said that the city police had marked several open spaces to be used as parking lots for those who want to see the parade. “People coming from Master Canteen can park their vehicles at BDA bus stand near railway station and in the open space in front of Congress Bhavan. Those coming from AG Square will be asked to use the open space in front of Idcol auditorium and Jayadev Bhavan for parking. Similarly, people going towards Rabindra Mandap Square will be allowed to park their vehicles in the open space in front of State Bank of India and the Rabindra Mandap. Khandia Park in Unit-III and Girls’ High School’s ground in Unit-II have also been identified for parking,” said the officer.

The sale of gas balloons and any dangerous or explosive substances would be prohibited in the area between PMG Square and Master Canteen Square during the parade. “We have tried to make the best possible arrangement to ensure smooth traffic movement. We expect the citizens to cooperate with us and enjoy the parade,” said a police officer.

Apart from this, the other security arrangements include deployment of 23 platoons of police forces, two units of Special Operation Group, two platoons of Special Security Battalion and 100 Armed Police Reserve personnel along the parade route. Besides, around 145 officials from the rank of assistant sub-inspector to additional deputy commissioner of police would be in charge of security and traffic arrangements.

Police commissioner Bijay Kumar Sharma said the arrangements had been made based on the inputs provided by the intelligence wing of the police.