Heavy traffic curbs planned in Vizag for Simahachalam ‘Giri Pradakshina’
Visakhapatnam police are planning significant traffic restrictions, including a potential no-vehicle zone, for the upcoming annual 'Giri Pradakshina' pilgrimage at Simhachalam temple. The measures aim to ensure the safety of lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the 32-km circumambulation on July 28 and 29.
Why it matters
Large-scale religious events require complex urban management and infrastructure coordination to balance public safety with city-wide traffic flow.
The city police are planning extensive traffic restrictions for the annual ‘Giri Pradakshina’ of Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Simhachalam, scheduled to be held on July 28 and 29. As part of the plan, the Maddilapalem-Hanumanthawaka route, one of the busiest stretches in the city, is likely to be declared a no-vehicle zone for the first time.
The proposal, currently under consideration, is aimed at ensuring the safety of lakhs of devotees expected to participate in the 32-km circumambulation of Simhachalam Hill. If approved, the stretch between Maddilapalem and Hanumanthawaka will remain closed to vehicular traffic from 3 p.m. on July 28 until 1 a.m. on July 29, when the maximum influx of devotees is expected.
Though the Giri Pradakshina begins in the early hours of July 28, the devotee count is expected to increase from the afternoon along the route, resulting in heavy pedestrian movement.
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