Bhubaneswar, Aug 10: The Commissionerate Police has issued a comprehensive traffic advisory for the upcoming State-Level Independence Day Parade-2026 in Bhubaneswar, imposing traffic restrictions and diversions on Mahatma Gandhi Marg and its adjoining areas to ensure smooth conduct of rehearsals and the main celebration.

The restrictions will remain in force during the full-dress rehearsals on August 11 and 12 from 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM, August 13 from 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM, and on August 15 from 6:00 AM until the completion of the parade and official function.

According to the public notice issued by Police Commissioner Dr. Suresh Dev Datta Singh, the following traffic arrangements will be implemented:

• Heavy vehicles will not be allowed to move towards Master Canteen Square either from the Ram Mandir side or the Rajmahal side.
• Two-wheelers and light motor vehicles coming from Rajmahal will be permitted to travel towards Ram Mandir only through Master Canteen Square. However, vehicles will not be allowed to proceed towards PMG Square from Master Canteen until the parade concludes.
• Vehicular movement towards Rabindra Mandap from the Housing Board side will remain prohibited. Such vehicles will be diverted at Keshari Talkies Crossing.
• Vehicles coming from AG Square will not be allowed to proceed towards PMG Square. They will instead be diverted via Jaydev Bhawan Square towards the IDCOL Auditorium side.
• All categories of vehicles approaching from 120 Battalion Square will be diverted towards Unit-IV through the MLA Colony Crossing.
• All lanes connecting to Mahatma Gandhi Marg will remain sealed, and only pedestrians will be allowed to access the parade venue.

To facilitate visitors attending the celebrations, the Commissionerate Police has designated the following parking locations during parade hours:

• BDA Bus Stand near Railway Station
• Open space in front of Congress Bhawan
• Open space in front of IDCOL Auditorium
• Open space in front of Jaydev Bhawan
• Open space in front of SBI, Unit-III
• Open space inside Rabindra Mandap
• Unit-II Girls' High School Ground

The police have also prohibited the sale of gas balloons in the stretch between PMG Square and Master Canteen Square on August 15 from 6:00 AM until the completion of the State-Level Parade.

The Commissionerate Police warned that any violation of the order will attract action under Section 96 of the Odisha Urban Police Act, 2003.