Vizag gears up for International Yoga Day: Security tightened, red zones declared; traffic curbs, drone bans in place

VISAKHAPATNAM: More than 10,000 security personnel, including commandos from the National Security Guard (NSG), and armed forces, are being deployed at RK Beach locality in Vizag city ahead of International Yoga Day on June 21.Vizag city is undergoing a major facelift ahead of the International Yoga Day on June 21. The Beach Road stretch between the Naval Coastal Battery (NCB) and Park Hotel Junction, the main venue for the event. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Ministers, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan and other dignatoaries are scheduled to participate in the grand event. More than five lakh people will participate in Yoga on June 21 in Vizag city.Vizag city police chief Shanka Brata Bagchi said police have been keeping an eye on the security arrangements and the beach road stretch is being screened with the help of sniper dogs and bomb disposal squads. Strict protocol will be enforced at all the locations on June 21 during yoga celebrations and the police have been on the job for tight security and traffic control.We have declared a temporary red zone area in connection with the VVIPS’s visit to Vizag city on June 20 and 21.

The police have declared extensive no-drone zones across the key areas in the city. The restricted areas include, INS Dega, and surrounding 5-Kms radius, INS Chola Naval Base and premises within 5-Kms radius , RK Beach and surrounding areas (main event venue) within 5-Kms radius and the entire route from INS Chola to Andhra University Grounds and AU Helipad with 5 Kms range.

The drone restrictions will be in effect from 12 pm on June 20 until 2 pm on June 21.However, drone operations will be permitted from Jodugulapalem to Bheemli areas. The police department currently operates 13 drones and has requested additional units from the government for enhanced surveillance.The police have imposed certain traffic restrictions for International Yoga Day. Police announced that there will be a complete closure of Beach Road from NTR Circle to Park Hotel Junction from June 17 to June 21.

Additionally, the entire stretch of Beach Road from Park Hotel Junction to Bheemili will be closed to all vehicular traffic from June 19 to June 21 to accommodate the construction of stages.To manage the expected traffic congestion in Vizag city as part of the Yoga Day celebrations, the police asked the public to use the ASTraM mobile app, to guide and help them navigate alternative routes.The police urged residents along the beach road to use alternate pathways and assured that police personnel and district administration would provide assistance during emergencies.