Traffic restrictions announced for ‘Giri Pradakshina’ in Visakhapatnam
Visakhapatnam district administration has announced significant traffic restrictions for the annual 'Giri Pradakshina' festival on July 28 and 29. Major highways and city routes will be closed or diverted to accommodate the large influx of pilgrims.
Why it matters
The event requires major logistical coordination to manage public safety and traffic flow in a large urban center.
The district administration on Saturday (July 15, 2026) announced traffic restrictions for July 28 and 29 in view of the annual Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Giri Pradakshina at Simhachalam.
The restrictions are expected to significantly impact vehicular movement across the city, particularly on National Highway 16. For the first time, the stretch between Visakha Valley Junction and Maddilapalem Junction on NH-16 will remain closed during the event. This closure is expected to pose a major logistical challenge for the traffic police and may lead to congestion on alternate routes.
Officials said the number of pilgrims taking part in the sacred hill circumambulation has been increasing every year, prompting the administration to impose stricter traffic regulations and diversions.
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