Cuttack: Security has been intensified across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack with the deployment of 40 platoons of police force ahead of President Droupadi Murmu‘s three-day visit to Odisha from Aug 3 to 5. Murmu is scheduled to inaugurate Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj University at Damapada in Cuttack on Aug 3, for which special traffic preparedness and routes have been charted out.Commissionerate Police, in coordination with Special Protection Group (SPG) and other central agencies, has put in place a multi-layered security arrangement for President’s engagements in Cuttack and her onward journey to Berhampur in Ganjam district.To facilitate the President’s movement on Aug 3, police have imposed traffic restrictions from 3.50 pm to 4.50 pm and again from 5.50 pm to 6.50 pm on Nandankanan Zoological Park-Barang-Barang Office Chowk-Godi Sahi-Bharat Masala Chowk-CISF Munduli-Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj University route. “No vehicular movement will be allowed on these or connecting roads during the specified period,” said commissioner of police Dev Datta Singh.“Heavy vehicles travelling from Bhubaneswar-Khordha side towards Cuttack and those coming from Cuttack/Balikuda Chhak side towards Bhubaneswar-Pitapalli will also remain off the roads during the restriction period. However, vehicles engaged in emergency services will be exempted,” added Singh, appealing to commuters to cooperate with traffic restrictions and follow the advisories to ensure smooth movement during the President’s visit.On Aug 4, the President is scheduled to travel by train from Bhubaneswar railway station to Berhampur. During her Ganjam visit, she will offer prayers at Maa Kandhuni Devi shrine at Taptapani hot spring under Sanakhemundi block.
