Bengaluru Deploys 1,583 Police, Curbs MG Road Parking for Independence Day

Elaborate security arrangements and traffic curbs have been put in place around the Field Marshal Manekshaw Parade Ground on Cubbon Road and nearby MG Road ahead of the 80th Independence Day celebrations on Saturday, officials announced.

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is scheduled to hoist the national flag at 9 am, receive the Guard of Honour, inspect the parade, and address the gathering. The details were shared during a joint press conference on Friday by Kantharaju PS, Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Urban District; M Maheswar Rao, Greater Bengaluru Authority Commissioner; and Seemanth Kumar Singh, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner.

Around 8,000 people are expected to attend the event. The parade will feature 37 contingents comprising approximately 1,360 personnel from various units, including the KSRP, CRPF, BSF, CAR, Goa police, KSISF, traffic police, women police, home guards, traffic wardens, fire services, dog squad, and police band. Additionally, around 2,200 school and college students will perform cultural programmes, such as 'Vande Mataram-Shanthi Mantra Nritya Roopaka', 'The Glory of the Freedom Struggle', 'Akka Pade', and 'Bharat Jodo Youth Association Scheme'.

To ensure safety, the Bengaluru City Police has deployed 1,583 personnel, which includes 1,100 personnel dedicated to security—comprising nine DCPs, 17 ACPs, 49 inspectors, and 106 PSIs—and 483 personnel assigned to traffic management. As many as 110 CCTV cameras have been installed inside and outside the parade ground, alongside baggage scanners, metal detectors, and extra surveillance cameras. Seven KSRP/CAR platoons, four fire tenders, three ambulances, four reserve vehicles, a Quick Reaction Team, D-SWAT, and RIV have been stationed at the venue, with a Garuda Force unit on standby. Surveillance has been active at the grounds for the past 15 days, alongside monitoring of hotels, lodges, and shelters across the city.

Authorities have restricted parking along key stretches, including MG Road between Anil Kumble Circle and Queens Circle, Central Street between Anil Kumble Circle and Shivajinagar Bus Stand, and Cubbon Road between CTO Circle and the KR Road-Cubbon Road junction. The Bengaluru Traffic Police has advised attendees and the public to utilize the Namma Metro and public transport due to limited parking.

Visitors must reach their designated seats by 8.30 am, after which entry will be closed. VVIP pass holders will enter via Gate 2, white pass holders and media personnel through Gate 4, and green pass and e-pass holders through Gate 5. Prohibited items include cigarettes, matchboxes, sharp objects, knives, blades, pamphlets, black handkerchiefs, coloured liquids, food, cameras, alcohol, narcotics, water bottles, firecrackers, explosives, and weapons. Attendees must carry valid invitations and identity cards, avoid extra luggage, and report any suspicious items to police or by calling 112.