New Delhi: Elaborate security and traffic arrangements have been made for the Beating the Retreat ceremony on Sunday marking the end of Republic Day celebrations.
Several bands from Army, Navy and Air Force will play military tunes at the ceremony to be held in Vijay Chowk. Vijay Chowk will remain closed for traffic between 4 pm and 9:30 pm on Saturday and Sunday. DTC and Blueline buses which pass through Vijay Chowk in their normal routes will be diverted.
President Pratibha Patil will be the chief guest of the function. Traffic will not be allowed on Rafi Marg between round- abouts of Sunehri Masjid and Krishi Bhawan, Raisina Road from Krishi Bhawan round-about towards Vijay Chowk, beyond round- abouts of Dalhousie Road, Krishna Menon Marg and Sunehri Masjid towards Vijay Chowk and on Rajpath between Vijay Chowk and C- Hexagon of India Gates.
"Vijay Chowk will remain closed for general traffic. Rajpath between Vijay Chowk and C-Hexagon at India Gate will be totally pedestrianised," said Satyendra Garg, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic). Parking will be available for those coming to see illumination behind the water channels between Rafi Marg and C-Hexagon.
City buses will be diverted from their normal routes from 4 pm hours to 9:30 pm to facilitate the vehicles of invitees and spectators and to avoid traffic congestion on roads around the venue of the function. PTI