Bengaluru Prepares for First Freedom Habba at Vidhana Soudha on August 15

Bengaluru is set to host its first Freedom Habba at Vidhana Soudha on August 15, with the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and city police completing elaborate security, traffic, and civic arrangements for the day-long Independence Day celebrations.

GBA Chief Commissioner Maheshwar Rao announced that the event will run from noon to 10 pm. The festivities will include a parade featuring approximately 25 contingents and cultural troupes, a Children's Mela, more than 120 stalls, a walking museum, guided tours of Vidhana Soudha, and a nine-section Freedom Journey exhibition documenting India's independence struggle. The evening will conclude with a musical concert featuring performances by Sanjith Hegde, Brodha V, Raghu Dixit, Siddhartha Belmannu, Varijashree Venugopal, Harish Sivaramakrishnan, M D Pallavi, and Bruce Lee Mani.

Around 18,000 people have registered for the event. Entry is strictly limited to individuals with valid QR codes, with one person permitted per code. Access will be managed through 18 security checkpoints located along GOP Circle, K R Circle, and Cubbon Park routes.

Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh stated that more than 3,000 personnel, including Civil Police and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) units, will be stationed around the venue. Minister Priyank Kharge held a preparatory meeting with senior police and GBA officials, instructing them to ensure crowd safety, seamless coordination, and strict vigilance, particularly during the evening concert and fireworks.

Several traffic and transit restrictions have been announced for the area. Ambedkar Veedhi will be closed to general vehicular traffic from 11 am. The Dr BR Ambedkar Metro Station at Vidhana Soudha will remain shut for both entry and exit from 10 am to 9.30 pm, with trains passing through without stopping. Metro entry will resume at 9.30 pm, while exit restrictions will continue until 10 pm. Commuters have been advised to use Sir M Visvesvaraya Metro Station at Central College or the Cubbon Park Metro Station.

The venue will feature 80 bio-toilets, drinking water counters, designated parking zones, two first-aid centres, four ambulances, two fire tenders, and a dedicated women's help centre equipped with resting and breastfeeding facilities.