Police staged a route march on Friday evening.
BELAGAVI
Goans have been advised to avoid travelling to Belagavi on Saturday and Sunday, as the city is likely to be out of bounds in the wake of the Shri Ganesha immersion idol processions on both days. Apart from traffic restrictions and diversions, the city roads will be crowded from Saturday afternoon due to the procession, because of which shops and business establishments will remain closed from Saturday afternoon.
The Belagavi City Police have announced traffic diversions and restrictions in view of the Ganesh idol immersion procession scheduled for Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7. The city has been fortified with 500 police officers, a strong police force of about 3,000 policemen and a battalion of the Rapid Action Force pressed into service. IGP Sandeep Patil from Bengaluru will monitor the procession accompanied by Belagavi Police Commissioner Bhushan Borse.
The main immersion procession will begin on September 6 at 2 pm, passing through Nargundkar Bhave Chowk, Maruti Galli, Hutatma Chowk, Ramdev Galli, Samadevi Galli, Bogarves, Ramlingkhind Galli, Kapileshwar Railway Overbridge and culminating at Kapileshwar Talav.
To ensure smooth and peaceful movement, the police have introduced diversions at key junctions. Vehicles coming from Goa via Khanapur Road, Peeranwadi, and Tilakwadi will be redirected via Goaves, Globe Theatre, Camp, Hanuman Nagar and beyond, and vehicles from Dharwad Road and Congress Road will have to take alternative routes.
Heavy vehicles, goods carriers, and tempos will not be allowed into the procession area comprising interior roads passing through the city.
Parking along the immersion route is strictly prohibited, and violators will face action. Public buses, autos, and private vehicles will be guided through diversions as per police instructions. Emergency vehicles like ambulances and fire tenders will be given priority passage.
Police have urged citizens to cooperate and use alternative roads to avoid congestion. Specific routes, like the road from Chenamma Circle to Kaktives and Potdar Cross, were closed from midnight onwards for the immersion procession.
The use of DJ music and firecrackers was banned during the main immersion procession to control noise and prevent public inconvenience.
Special parking arrangements were made, with facilities at grounds like Sardar Maidan, Beynon Smith CP Ed Ground, and various school and college properties to manage the influx of vehicles.
The diversions will remain in effect from 12 noon on Saturday till the completion of immersions on September 7, Police Commissioner Bhushan Borse added.
