THE GOAN NETWORK
BELAGAVI
With Belagavi city preparing for many public Ganesh Visarjan processions on Friday, the Belagavi city police have advised people from outside the city, including visitors from Goa, to avoid travelling to Belagavi unless essential due to expected heavy crowds, traffic diversions and restrictions.
Belagavi police have issued an advisory regarding the traffic diversion according to which entry to the city will be closed for movement of all types of vehicles from Friday afternoon, while the traffic has been diverted from the outskirts of the city.
As Friday is expected to witness exceptionally heavy crowds, traffic restrictions and diversions across Belagavi, people travelling from Goa are advised to postpone non-essential visits to the city and avoid entering Belagavi by private vehicles on Friday.
Those who have essential travel should check traffic diversions and allow extra travel time.
More than 5,000 police personnel, including senior IPS officers, DCPs, ACPs, KSRP, City Armed Reserve and Rapid Action Force personnel, will be deployed for security. The city will be monitored through more than 1,000 CCTV cameras and 14 drones, besides over 100 plainclothes policemen.
Around 1,050 Ganesh idols are expected to be immersed at seven designated water bodies. Police Commissioner Prakash Nikam said the aim is to complete the immersion process within 24 hours, compared to nearly 36 hours last year.
Heavy traffic congestion is expected on major roads. Several entry routes into the city will be diverted, with barricading at around 100 locations with traffic personnel and parking arrangements at eight places. Police have appealed to motorists to use alternative routes and cooperate
Eight SDRF teams, ambulances at eight locations and fire tenders at five locations will be deployed as part of the emergency response system.
The use of high-intensity laser and plasma lights during processions has been prohibited, while special teams will monitor DJ sound systems. Police will also keep round-the-clock surveillance on social media.
