Security heightened in Bengaluru ahead of I-Day

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Security arrangements have been heightened in the city ahead of the 77th Independence Day celebrations on August 15 here.

The Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is all set to hoist the tricolour national flag and address the state at Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground in Bengaluru.

While the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike chief Tushar Girinath has notified that all precautions have been taken and preparations to host 1,500 students from various schools in the city, has been made.

The school child ren will be performing cultural events at the venue. Also arrangements have been made for over 8,000 seats for the general public, VVIPs, VIPs and special invitees, the sources said.

On Sunday morning, Girinath along with the Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda oversaw the final rehearsal for the event.

According to the sources, the officials have notified the invitees not to carry any valuables or harmful materials such as matchboxes, cigarettes, knives, liquor, crackers or even cameras, flags, food items and water bottles to the venue.

Security arrangements

Over a 100 CCTV cameras, three baggage scanners, 20 Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD), 40 Hand Held Metal Detectors (HHMD) have been installed in the premises. Arrangement have been made for the emergency services such as ambulance and fire tenders in case of emergencies.

As per a notification, the event will begin with Naada Geete and Raita Geete. The school children will then perform group dance followed by various other forms of performaces.

The event will conclude at 11:45 am.

Deployment

The Police Commissioner has deployed 9 Deputy Commissioner of Police, 15 Additional Commissioner of Police, 43 Police Inspectors, 110 Polic e Sub-Inspectors, 72 Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 554 Head Constables and Police Constables along with 157 officers in mufti and 77 women police officers for the security around the city.

According to sources from police, a total of 1,786 personnel and staff has been deployed for the security to avoid any untoward incident during the celebration.

Traffic advisory

Meanwhile the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP) also have issued an advisory for the smooth flow of vehicles in and around the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground.

The traffic will be diverted on August 15, between 8 am to 11 am from BRV Junction to Kamaraj Road Junction. Due to the shortage of parking places in and around the Parade Ground and to avoid congestion, the public is requested to use public transport to reach the venue, BTP said.

The BTP has requested all invitees with car passes to park their vehicles at specified places mentioned in the passes and emergency vehicles shall enter from Gate-2.

Arrangements have been made for the PRESS vehicles to enter through Gate-3 and park their vehicles on the Eastern side of the Parade Ground.