Slushy ground hampers I-Day rehearsals

Pawan Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, August 13

Due to heavy rainfall lashing the city for the past couple of days, water accumulation made several parts of the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium ground slushy, hampering the final rehearsals of the Independence Day celebrations here on Monday.

The administration had to cut short the distance of the march past due to considerable ground moisture. If it rains further, it would aggravate the problem for the administration. Safai workers were seen removing water from many spots on the track meant for the march-past. The soil on the track has turned slushy due to the showers.

Students were seen practising for their events and playing safe from not getting slipped as the water was standing on the ground.

Punjab Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal would unfurl the national flag to mark the 72nd Independence Day on August 15.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kamaldeep Singh Sangha along with Police Commissioner SS Srivastav and other senior police and administrative officials supervised the arrangements and participated in the final rehearsals of the parade. Sangha informed that during the Independence day celebrations, Punjab Police, Home Guards, NCC cadets and NSS scouts from various schools would carry out the march-past which would be followed by cultural programmes.

He said those who had made significant contributions in different fields would also be honoured during the occasion. Besides, family members of freedom fighters would also be felicitated, he added.

Meanwhile, keeping in view security concerns, the police have banned carrying arms on August 14 and 15. Similarly, it has also banned drones in the city.

Traffic diversion

The road leading to the Guru Nanak Dev Stadium would be blocked for the normal traffic. Police officials have urged the people to avoid commuting through Taylor road from 7.30 am to 9.30 am and 11.30 am to 12.30 pm. Similarly, the road from Crystal Chowk to Novelty Chowk would be closed from 11.30 am till 12.30 pm. Traffic would be diverted through the backside of Company Bagh to SSSS Chowk. The traffic coming from the Batala road side to Crystal Chowk would be diverted through Bhandari bridge.

A temporary parking for people coming to Guru Nanak Stadium has been made at Company Bagh and would enter the stadium after crossing the road.

It has been done to avoid inconvenience.