Bhubaneswar traffic restrictions will bar heavy vehicles from several major city roads between 2 pm and 2 am from October 16 to October 21, as Commissionerate police prepare for increased movement around Durga Puja pandals and other festive events.
Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said the restrictions were intended to ensure smoother traffic flow and public safety during the expected rush of devotees and visitors. The order will apply daily throughout the six-day period, with separate diversions for heavy goods vehicles, passenger buses and traffic approaching the city from neighbouring routes.
Heavy vehicles will be prohibited on multiple stretches, including Rasulgarh-Lingipur through Bomikhal and Kalpana; Vani Vihar-Sishu Bhawan through 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 be diverted through Chandaka and Baranga via Pitapalli and Balikuda. Police will also impose special diversions during the traditional Ravan Podi event at Nayapalli, where local crowd movement is expected to affect surrounding roads.
Traffic arriving from Cuttack on NH-16 will be diverted from Jayadev Vihar towards CRP Chhak or Fire Station Chhak through alternative routes. The arrangement is designed to keep traffic approaching the city core away from stretches expected to experience higher pedestrian and vehicle volumes during the evening hours.
The advisory also changes routes for buses entering Bhubaneswar. Buses travelling from Puri towards Baramunda and Cuttack will be diverted through Lingipur, Kesura, Pandara and Hi-Tech Chhak instead of passing through the central parts of the city. Buses operating from the Master Canteen bus stand will be rerouted through Ram Mandir and Housing Board towards Acharya Vihar, preventing them from moving towards Vani Vihar.
Morning services for passengers travelling to Lingaraj Temple will also follow a modified route. These buses will be diverted towards Lingipur through Garage Chhak and Samantrapur Chhak, rather than proceeding towards Kalpana and Sishu Bhawan.
The restrictions place the city’s main north-south and east-west movement corridors under temporary traffic management during the busiest hours of the festive period. For commuters, the changes mean that journeys involving NH-16, Master Canteen, Vani Vihar, Jayadev Vihar, Baramunda, Kalpana and Lingaraj Temple will require route planning before departure.
Commissionerate police have urged residents and visitors to plan their journeys in advance and cooperate with traffic personnel. The restrictions will remain in force daily from 2 pm to 2 am between October 16 and October 21, with the listed diversions continuing during the specified festival period.
