Traffic plan issued for Simhachalam Chandanotsavam festival

The Visakhapatnam City Police have issued a comprehensive traffic and parking advisory for the annual Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Chandanotsavam to be held at Simhachalam temple on April 20.

According to the advisory, only vehicles carrying valid passes will be permitted from the New Toll Gate to the hilltop. Separate parking arrangements have been made for authorised cars and two-wheelers on the hill road.

Large parking spaces and holding points have been identified at Adavivaram Junction, Old Gosala, Simhapuri Colony, Srinivasa Nagar and New Gosala for devotees arriving without vehicle passes. Free and special buses arranged by the Devasthanam will transport pilgrims from these locations to the temple.

Devotees holding ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 darshan tickets from the city side have been asked to reach New Gosala via Hanumanthawaka, Arilova, Pineapple Colony and Krishnapuram, park their vehicles there and travel to the hilltop in special buses.

Pilgrims with ₹300 tickets and those opting for free darshan from the Hanumanthawaka side have been advised to park at Adavivaram Junction or BC Welfare School Ground and continue their journey in free buses.

Separate parking and transport arrangements have also been made for devotees coming from Gopalapatnam, Anakapalli, Sabbavaram, Pendurthi, Vepagunta and ASR district.

The police have imposed restrictions on heavy vehicles on major routes during the festival period. Heavy vehicles from the Sontyam side will not be allowed towards Adavivaram from 5 p.m. on April 19 to 5 a.m. on April 21. Goods vehicles from Hanumanthawaka towards Pendurthi and Gopalapatnam have been advised to take alternative routes via Anandapuram, NAD and Maddilapalem.

Residents of Simhachalam and nearby areas have been requested to avoid travel between Old Gosala and Adavivaram on April 20 unless it is unavoidable.

The police appealed to devotees to follow traffic instructions, use designated parking areas and cooperate with officials for smooth conduct of the festival.