Traffic restrictions will be in place across the city from 2 p.m. on Wednesday till 8 p.m. on Thursday in connection with the Attukal Pongala festival on Thursday.
Heavy vehicles, timber lorries, container lorries, and goods vehicles will not be allowed entry into the city nor be allowed to park anywhere on the roadsides inside the city, a press release from H. Venkatesh, City Police Commissioner, said.
People have been requested not to park their vehicles on roads near the Attukal temple, nor on sides of MC Road, MG Road, or national highway in ways that block traffic or cause inconvenience to devotees preparing hearths as part of the festival. Such vehicles will be removed without notice, he said.
Vehicle owners will have to park their vehicles far from wherever hearths are set up, apart from taking care to drive slowly along roads where hearths are set up.
On Thursday, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. as devotees leave after the festival, there will be strict restrictions on vehicles coming into the city. Vehicles from the Attingal side towards Neyyattinkara will have to turn from Kazhakuttam via Karyavattom or Sreekaryam and proceed via Mukkolakkal and Kulathoor up to Kesavadasapuram and go via Pattom, PMG, Museum, Vellayambalam, Vazhuthacaud, Poojappura, Karamana and Pravachambalam.
Inside the city, parking of vehicles will not be allowed at junctions, on narrow roads, or at spots where road work is in progress. Overtaking will not be allowed as vehicles return after the festival to avoid traffic blocks.
The public has been asked to contact the police on the following numbers in case of complaints or suggestions related to traffic: 94979 87001, 94979 87002, 0471 2558726 and 0471 2558731.
