Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru on Sunday to flag off trains, the Yellow Line of Namma Metro and lay foundation for Metro Phase III, is expected to cause some traffic disruptions in the city.

However, the Prime Minister will fly in a helicopter between HAL Airport and Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna City Railway Station and from Electronics City to HAL Airport and travel by Namma Metro from R.V. Road Metro Station to Electronics City Metro Station, minimising his travel by road.

A senior traffic police official said that since the programme is being held on a Sunday, traffic will anyway be thin and the inconvenience the commuters will face be minimal.

Traffic restrictions

Bengaluru Traffic Police have issued an advisory imposing traffic restrictions on a few major roads on Sunday between 8.30 a.m. and 2:30 pm. People have been advised to avoid Marenahalli Main Road, Silk Board to Hosur via the Electronic City Elevated Flyover. BTP has said traffic congestion is expected on Hosur Road and NICE Road towards Electronics City. They have also advised commuters to avoid the stretch from Hosur to Bengaluru city, which is expected to hit interstate traffic.

There will also be restrictions around Krantiveera Sangolli Rayanna City Railway Station in the morning, as the Prime Minister will flag off the Bengaluru – Belagavi Vande Bharat train at the station on Sunday morning.

Due to this event at the station, South Western Railways has announced cancellations, rescheduling, and diversions of several trains that were to depart from and arrive at the station.

City turns a fortress

In light of the Prime Minister’s visit, the Bengaluru City Police have taken up extensive blockade both in the city and at the entry and exit points of the city, conducting surprise checks at hotels, PG accommodations, and guest houses, and increased security at bus, railway, and metro stations.

Additional platoons of reserve police force, Quick Response Teams (QRT), anti-sabotage teams, and Fire and Emergency Services have been deployed at strategic locations across the city.