Bhubaneswar traffic update: Comprehensive advisory ahead of PM Modi’s visit

Bhubaneswar: The Commissionerate Police has issued a comprehensive traffic advisory in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Bhubaneswar on Friday, June 20, 2025.

With a grand roadshow and a public program planned at Janata Maidan, commuters across the city are strongly urged to plan their travel routes carefully to avoid major congestion points and ensure public safety.

Traffic Congestion Expected During Roadshow: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
PM Modi will land at Biju Patnaik International Airport at 3:40 PM and head to Janata Maidan via a roadshow starting from the airport. The event, held to mark the completion of the first year of the BJP government in Odisha, will draw large crowds, significantly affecting traffic movement across key city arteries.

Major intersections and roads expected to experience heavy traffic congestion include:

Airport Square

Capital Hospital Square

AG Square

Raj Bhawan Square

Power House Square

120 Battalion Square

Shastri Nagar Square

Behera Sahi Square

Jaydev Vihar Square

XIMB Square

NALCO Square

Advisory: Commuters are strongly advised to avoid these areas between 3 PM and 6 PM, or until the event concludes, to avoid unnecessary delays.

Diversion Plans and Alternative Routes for Smooth Commuting
To manage the anticipated influx of traffic and ensure safety, specific diversions and alternate travel routes have been announced for different directions of the city:

For Buses from Cuttack (via NH-16):
New Route: Rasulgarh service road → Vani Vihar → Acharya Vihar → Apollo Hospital → Sainik School

From Khurda (via NH-16):
Jaydev Vihar service road → Acharya Vihar → Apollo Hospital → Sainik School → NALCO Square → Kalinga Hospital Road

Parking: From Railway Colony Golei Chhak to Utkal Hospital and Hatiasuni Chhak

From Nandankanan:
NALCO Square → Kalinga Hospital Road

Parking: Same as Khurda route

From Puri:
Kalpana Square → Raj Mahal → Sishu Bhawan → Capital Hospital Square

Parking: Between Sishu Bhawan and Capital Hospital

Designated Parking Zones for Event Attendees
To minimize congestion, multiple parking zones have been allocated throughout Bhubaneswar for vehicles arriving for the event. These include:

Airport Golei to Pani Tanki

Meteorological Ground

Shastrinagar to Engineering School

Behera Sahi to Nicco Park

Swadhinata Sangrami Ground

Kalinga Stadium

Salia Sahi Jatra Padia

Sainik School

Hatiasuni to Utkal Hospital

JK Paper Lane to Shyama Dham (VIP Parking)

Media personnel have a separate designated parking space near NISER.

Heavy Vehicle Restrictions to Ease Traffic Load
The following traffic restrictions for goods carriers (6+ wheeled trucks and trailers) will be in place:

From Khurda to Cuttack: Diverted from Pitapalli Square via Chandaka Square, bypassing Bhubaneswar

From Cuttack to Khurda: Diverted from Balikuda Square via Trishulia Square and Pitapalli

Note: Emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire services) are exempt and allowed to operate without restriction.

Ama Bus Service Diversions: June 20, 2 PM to 6:30 PM
Due to the traffic restrictions, several Ama Bus routes will be diverted as announced by the Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT). The affected routes include:

Bus Numbers: 9, 10, 12, 13, 17, 18, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28, 30, 36, 37, 39, 40, 47, 66

Timing: Diversions effective from 2 PM to 6:30 PM

Prime Minister’s Schedule on June 20
Arrival: 3:40 PM at Biju Patnaik International Airport via IAF special flight

Roadshow: Begins at 3:45 PM from Airport to Janata Maidan

Public Address: 4:15 PM at Janata Maidan

Departure: Leaves venue by 5:35 PM, returns to airport by 5:45 PM

Flight Departure: 5:50 PM to Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

Commissionerate Police’s Public Appeal
The Commissionerate Police of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack appeals to all citizens to:

Avoid unnecessary travel in the affected zones during peak hours

Cooperate with traffic personnel and follow signages and diversions

Use designated parking areas to prevent road blockages and maintain emergency vehicle access