The Bengaluru Traffic Police has implemented significant traffic restrictions across key areas of the city on Sunday, January 28, 2024. These measures are in place to facilitate the smooth conduct of the annual Chitra Santhe art fair, a massive cultural event that draws huge crowds of artists and art enthusiasts.
Key Traffic Diversions and Route Changes
According to the official advisory, the restrictions are primarily focused around the Kumara Krupa Road area, the main venue for the art fair. The police have announced that vehicle movement will be completely prohibited on Kumara Krupa Road, from its junction with Sheshadri Road to the Government Press junction, for the entire duration of the event.
To manage the flow, several alternative routes and diversions have been established. Traffic heading towards High Grounds from the Queen's Statue side will be diverted onto Sheshadri Road. Vehicles intending to reach Sadashivanagar or Palace Guttahalli from the Cauvery Theatre side must take a right turn at the Government Press junction onto Palace Road.
Parking Restrictions and Advisory for Commuters
In addition to the movement curbs, strict parking bans are enforced. Parking will not be allowed on both sides of Kumara Krupa Road, as well as on the roads leading to the venue. This is a critical point for visitors planning to drive to the event. The police have strongly urged the public to avoid using private vehicles and instead opt for public transportation to reach Chitra Santhe.
For those using the Namma Metro, the closest stations are Vidhana Soudha and Sir M. Visveshwaraya stations. From there, attendees can use BMTC feeder buses or other last-mile connectivity options to get to the fair grounds on Kumara Krupa Road. This recommendation aims to drastically reduce vehicular congestion in the central business district.
Event Significance and Expected Footfall
Chitra Santhe, organized by the Chitrakala Parishath, is one of Bengaluru's most prominent and beloved cultural events. It transforms the streets into a vibrant open-air gallery, featuring thousands of artists from across Karnataka and India. The event provides a direct platform for artists to sell their work to the public, fostering a unique ecosystem for art commerce.
The sheer scale of the event, with an expected footfall in the lakhs, necessitates these comprehensive traffic management plans every year. The police deployment is significant to ensure pedestrian safety, manage the dense crowds, and maintain general law and order while minimizing disruption to the rest of the city's traffic.
The traffic restrictions are expected to remain in effect until the conclusion of the art fair late in the evening. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys in advance, stay updated via traffic police social media channels, and cooperate with personnel on the ground for a hassle-free experience.
