Bhubaneswar: In view of Durga Puja celebrations in Bhubaneswar city from October 16 to 21, 2026, the Police Commissionerate, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack has imposed traffic restrictions to ensure smooth movement of vehicles and convenience of the public and pedestrians.
The restrictions will remain in force from 2:00 PM to 2:00 AM daily between October 16 and 21, 2026, under Section 28 of the Odisha Urban Police Act, 2003, and Section 36 of the Police Commissionerate, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack (Traffic and Public Order) Regulations, 2008.
Heavy Vehicles Banned on Key Routes: No heavy vehicles will be allowed on the following roads and their adjoining stretches during the restricted hours:Rasulgarh Chowk to Lingipur Chowk and adjoining roads (including areas near Bamikhal, Laxmisagar, Simal, Ravi Talkies and Samantarapur Chowk)
Vani Vihar Chowk to Shishu Bhawan Chowk and adjoining roads (including Rupali Square, Ram Mandir, Master Canteen and Rajmahal Chowk areas)
Acharya Vihar Chowk to Kalinga Hospital Chowk and adjoining roads (including Sainik School Chowk)
Acharya Vihar Chowk to New Airport Chowk and adjoining roads (including Nicco Park, Patel Marg, Housing Board, Rabindra Mandap and AG Square)
Jaydev Vihar Chowk to Nandankanan Chowk and adjoining roads (including Xavier, Kalinga Hospital, Damana and Patia areas)
Bhubaneswar Vihar Chowk to Raj Bhawan Chowk and connecting roads (including Behera Sahi and Shastri Nagar)
CRP Square to Power House and connecting roads (including Stewart School and Unit-8 DAV School roads)
Fire Training School Chowk to Shishu Bhawan Chowk and connecting roads (including Paika Nagar, Siripur and Ganga Nagar)
Khandagiri Chowk to Pokhariput Chowk and adjoining roads (including Jagamara). National Highway-16 service roads on both sides from Baramunda to Palasuni
Diversions for Heavy Vehicles: Heavy vehicles coming from Khordha towards Cuttack will not be allowed to enter the city. They must join NH-16 at Balikuda via Pitapalli Chowk.
Additional bans may be imposed at Patrapada Chowk and Birupa Bridge if required.Special Arrangements During Nayapalli Ravan PodiDuring the Nayapalli Ravan Podi, vehicles (except emergency vehicles) on NH-16 from the Cuttack side will be diverted via Jaydev Vihar.
Specific one-way movements will be allowed through Shastri Nagar, Power House, Unit-8 and DAV areas towards CRP/Fire Station Square, and vice versa towards Jaydev Vihar via Ekamra Kanan and Biju Patnaik College Road. Alternative Routes for BusesBuses coming from Puri to Baramunda should take the route via Pandara, Kesura and Hi-Tech Chowk from Lingipur Chowk. Vehicles going from Baramunda to Puri should use the Uppal Road. No buses will be allowed to enter the city centre.
Buses from Puri to Cuttack should take the NH bypass from Lingipur Chowk to Hi-Tech Chowk. The reverse route applies for Cuttack to Puri services.
No buses (government or private) from Master Canteen Bus Stand will be allowed towards Vani Vihar or Takia Chowk. They must proceed via Ram Mandir Chowk and Housing Board to Acharya Vihar Chowk.
Buses from Lingaraj Temple Chowk cannot proceed towards Lewis Road Chowk; they must go via Garage Chowk and Samantarapur towards Lingipur.
Penalties and Exemptions: Violators will face a fine of ₹100 or up to ₹200 as per Section 96 of the Odisha Urban Police Act, 2003.
The restrictions will not apply to police, fire service, ambulance, excise and other essential service vehicles.
Appeal to Citizens: Police have appealed to the public to follow traffic rules for a safe and happy Durga Puja——–
Do not drive under the influence of alcohol
Do not carry more than two persons on a two-wheeler
Do not use mobile phones while driving
Always wear a helmet while riding a two-wheeler
Park only in designated parking areas
Ensure vehicles are properly locked when not in use
Avoid speeding and reckless driving
Citizens are requested to cooperate with the traffic police for smooth celebration of the festival.
