Traffic management major focus as Bhubaneswar gears up for Hockey extravaganza

Bhubaneswar: As the much awaited Men's Hockey World Cup in the capital city inches closer, final preparations for the sporting extravaganza are in full swing. The Commissionerate Police has made elaborate arrangements especially for regulation of road traffic. Keeping in view the huge footfall of spectators from all around the world, police have prepared a master plan for smooth conduct of the event.

As many as 10 parking places have been designated in and around the Kalinga Stadium where the mega event is scheduled to be held. Facilities for parking of around 500 vehicles including those of VIPs, officials and media personnel at three places inside the stadium have been made. Similarly, seven other parking facilities including ones at Janata Maidan and Nayapalli Durga Puja Mandap have been prepared for the general public.

As many as 30 'Mo Bus' have been roped in to facilitate commute between Janata Maidan and Kalinga Stadium. Around 100 police officials are being specially trained for deployment at each parking place.

Vehicular movement between Jaydev Vihar  and 'The World' square near Kalinga Stadium will be restricted from 2 PM to 10 PM everyday from November 27 as the government has decided to declare it as a 'no vehicle' zone.

To ensure smooth and hassle free management of traffic, police have decided to take the help of latest technologies. The government will soon launch two Google applications which will help spectators in traffic and resolve parking problems.

Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty said "Barring Janata Maidan, all other parking places will have paid parking facilities. We urge people to park their vehicles at Janata Maidan to ease traffic congestion."

"Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited will launch an app which will help spectators find if there are any vacant slots inside the parking place. Similarly, police have also designed an app which will assist people in finding the nearest parking facility with vacant slots," he said.

The World Cup will begin with an inauguration ceremony at Kalinga Stadium on November 27. The tournament will begin a day later with Belgium facing Canada and host India taking on South Africa.

A total of 36 matches are scheduled to be played during the tournament spanning over 19 days from November 28 to December 16.