Bhubaneswar: Commissionerate police on Tuesday issued a traffic advisory imposing restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles and passenger buses across the capital city during Durga Puja from Oct 16 to Oct 21.“The restrictions will remain in force daily from 2 pm to 2 am during the period to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety amid the expected rush of devotees and visitors at puja pandals,” said police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh.According to the advisory, heavy vehicles will not be allowed on several major city stretches, including Rasulgarh-Lingipur via Bomikhal and Kalpana, Vani Vihar-Sishu Bhawan via Master Canteen and Raj Mahal, Acharya Vihar-Kalinga Hospital, Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan, Jayadev Vihar-Raj Bhavan, CRP-Power House, Khandagiri-Pokhariput and both service roads of NH-16 between Baramunda and Palasuni.Heavy goods vehicles travelling between Khurda and Cuttack will also be diverted via Chandaka and Baranga through Pitapalli and Balikuda. Special diversions will be enforced during the traditional Ravan Podi event at Nayapalli. Traffic approaching from Cuttack on NH-16 will be diverted from Jayadev Vihar towards CRP Chhak or Fire Station Chhak through alternative routes.The advisory also includes restrictions on buses entering the city. Buses from Puri heading towards Baramunda and Cuttack will be diverted through Lingipur, Kesura, Pandara and Hi-Tech Chhak to avoid congestion in the city core. Buses operating from Master Canteen bus stand will be rerouted via Ram Mandir and Housing Board towards Acharya Vihar, preventing their movement towards Vani Vihar.Police urged commuters to plan their journeys in advance and cooperate with traffic personnel to ensure hassle-free festivities.Lingaraj temple-bound buses during morning hours will be diverted towards Lingipur via Garage Chhak and Samantrapur Chhak, instead of proceeding towards Kalpana and Sishu Bhawan.
