JOIN USCivic authorities and the police have made elaborate arrangements to hold the Republic Day celebrations at Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Grounds on MG Road on Friday.
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike Commissioner N Manjunath Prasad told a press conference on Wednesday that arrangements had been made at the venue to accommodate 11,500 people. "Many fire personnel will be kept in readiness to handle fire accidents," he added.
Governor Vajubhai Vala will reach the venue by 8.58 am on Friday and hoist the national flag by 9 am. The venue is ready to accommodate 2,000 VIPs, freedom fighters and 2,500 journalists, retired army men and BSF officers.
"About 4,000 seats have been made available to the public along with special viewing gallery," Prasad said. Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said about 75 police personnel had been deployed to secure the ground for the past 15 days.
Police have also heightened security around hotels, lodges and other places of greater tourist activities to check for suspicious behaviour.
"We've deployed nine deputy commissioners of police (DCPs), 16 assistant commissioners, 51 inspectors, 92 sub-inspectors, 16 women sub-inspectors, 535 head constables/constables, 56 personnel to monitor cameras and 126 officers in disguise," Kumar said, adding that 50 cameras have been deployed at the venue.
Members of the public will not be allowed to carry cigarettes, matchboxes, legal documents, water bottles, black handkerchiefs, food, alcohol, flags or inflammatory substances to the ground.
"We've also banned photography or taking videos of the event. We ask the public to cooperate for inspection at the entrance," the commissioner said.
The highlight of the event would be the participation of a battalion of armed forces of Goa along with 34 other battalions. Prasad said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would launch mobile Indira Canteens on January 26 before Vidhana Soudha.
Traffic will be diverted from 8.30 am to 10.30 am from BRV junction to Kamaraj Road junction on Cubbon Road in both directions.
DH News Service
No-parking zones
* Kamaraj Road, from Cauvery Arts and Crafts junction to Cubbon Road junction
* Central Street, from Anil Kumble circle to Shivajinagar bus stand
* Cubbon Road, from CTO Circle to KR Road and Cubbon Road junction
* MG Road, from Anil Kumble Circle to Queen's Circle