STAGE SET FOR CELEBRATIONS

Bhubaneswar, Jan. 25: The state is on a high alert on the eve of the Republic Day.

Leaving nothing to chance, police here have made elaborate traffic and security arrangements for tomorrow annual parade.

Roads to take

Several traffic regulations will be imposed in and around Mahatma Gandhi Marg, on which the parade will take place. Around 20 platoons of police will be deployed at the parade venue and Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel will also be present.

The security personnel have decided to block the road from AG Square to PMG Square and divert traffic from Jayadev Bhavan. Traffic from Housing Board Square will be diverted from Keshari Talkies and that from 120 Battalion will be diverted from Rabindra Mandap Square to Unit IV.

"All heavy motor vehicles except city buses will be barred from using Janpath. Only light and personal vehicles will be allowed on the stretch. The entire Mahatma Gandhi Marg will be blocked till the events get over. Narrow lanes that open into the road will also be blocked," assistant commissioner of police Jatin Panda told The Telegraph.

A police officer said that the restriction for traffic movement on the blocked roads would be lifted from 10am.

The police said there would be strict vigil on all the entry and exit points of the city. This apart, movement of vehicles from Rasulgarh, Uttara Square, Nandankanan, Pokhariput-Jatani Road and Nakhara would be monitored.

Director-general of police K.B. Singh said extra security measures had been taken for Maoist-affected districts of the state. All district collectors and police superintendents have been asked to be on alert during the Republic Day celebrations.

Parking lots

The traffic authorities have allotted several parking lots for those coming to witness the Republic Day parade.

The parking spaces are located at Master Canteen bus stand, Jajati Hotel, Unit-II Girls High School, State Bank of India in Unit I, Idcol auditorium, Jayadev Bhavan, Rabindra Mandap, Reserve Bank of India and State Bank of India on Sachivalaya Marg.

Chief guest

Governor S.C. Jamir will be the chief guest at the Republic Day parade, a highlight of which would be 15 Maharishi College students presenting a daredevil stunt on motorcycles. Around 89 troupes, each with 32 persons, including school and college students, voluntary organisations and cultural troupes from various rural districts of the state will take part in the parade.

Police medals

In New Delhi, 17 police officials from the state will receive the President's police medal for gallantry on the occasion of Republic Day. Debasis Panigrahi, inspector-general of police, and Lalit Das, special secretary (home department), will be given the President's police medal for distinguished service.

Eleven more police personnel from the state will receive medals for meritorious service. Five jail officials from the state have also been selected for the President's honour.

Besides, four other jail officials will receive the President's Medal for meritorious service.

Odisha tableau

A tableau representing the popular Boita Bandana festival of Odisha will be a part of the Republic Day parade in New Delhi.

The state has been chosen to take part in the parade after three years.

Boita Bandana marks the end of the Kartik month and celebrates the state's maritime tradition. Artist Pradyumna Kumar Dash has designed the tableau and Gajendra Kumar Sahoo of Bibhuti Kanungo Art College, Bhubaneswar, has designed its 3D model. Sushanta Kumar Padhi has scored the accompanying music for the tableau.