Pramesh S Jain
Karnataka Home Minister,Priyank Kharge on Wednesday directed senior police and Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) officials to make comprehensive security and traffic arrangements for the state’s first public ‘Independence Festival–2026’,scheduled to be held at the historic Vidhana Soudha on August 15.
Kharge chaired a meeting with senior officials to review security,traffic management,public entry and exit, parking and crowd-control arrangements ahead of the event,which is expected to draw large crowds.
The festival will be held from 11 am to 10 pm and will feature the ‘The People’s India Parade’,a special tour of Vidhana Soudha,a children’s fair,quiz competitions, cultural programmes,a music concert and food and handicraft exhibitions showcasing various districts of Karnataka.
With a large turnout expected for the evening music programme and fireworks display,Kharge instructed officials to make special arrangements for crowd management and public safety.
He directed the authorities to ensure smooth traffic flow, pedestrian safety,emergency-response arrangements and adequate crowd-control measures so that visitors do not face inconvenience.
Kharge also stressed the need for close coordination among the police,GBA and other departments to ensure that there are no lapses in public safety during the celebrations.
GBA Chief Commissioner,M.Maheshwar Rao,Bengaluru City Police Commissioner,Seemant Kumar Singh,and senior officials from the police,GBA and other concerned departments attended the meeting.
