Shivamogga Deputy Commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti has issued a notification diverting traffic movement in Shivamogga city between 6 a.m. and 12 midnight on Friday, in view of the procession for immersion of the Ganesha idol installed by the Hindu Mahasabha in the city.

The notification was issued on Tuesday, based on the recommendation of the Superintendent of Police, Shivamogga. The procession will begin at Bheemeshwara Temple and pass through S.P.M. Road, Ramanna Shreshti Park, Gandhi Bazar Main Road, S.N. Circle, A.A. Circle, Nehru Road, Gopi Circle, Durgigudi, Jail Circle, Shivamurthy Circle, Mahaveer Circle, D.V.S. Circle, Convent Road and Kote Road, before the idol is immersed in the Tunga River near Bheemeshwara Temple. Thousands of people from Shivamogga and neighbouring areas are expected to take part in the procession, travelling by car, two-wheelers and other vehicles.

To avoid inconvenience to the public, the notification said all commuters coming to the city from Bengaluru, Bhadravathi or N.R. Pura to take a diversion at M.R.S. Circle to the bypass road. Similarly, vehicles reaching the city from Chitradurga and Holehonnur have to take the bypass from M.R.S. Circle. Those coming from Honnali, Harihar and Davangere have to reach the bypass via Sangolli Rayanna Circle, Shankaramutt Circle, Holehonnur Circle, Vidyanagar and M.R.S. Circle.

KSRTC buses and heavy goods vehicles heading to Honnali, Shikaripur, Sorab, Harihar and Davangere starting from the bus stand will reach Savalanga Road via Sagar Road via Helipad Circle, Alkola Circle, Police Chowki, Raj Kumar Circle and Bommanakatte.

Similarly, vehicles heading towards Bengaluru and Bhadravathi should take the bypass road to reach M.R.S. Circle. Vehicles reaching Shivamogga from Shikaripur, Sorab and Anavatti have to take Usha Nursing Home Circle, Lakshmi Talkies Circle, Police Chowki and Alkola Circle to reach Sagar Road.

The Deputy Commissioner has also prohibited traffic movement of all vehicles on Kote Road and Old Bar Line Road. Traffic movement and parking of vehicles have also been prohibited along the procession route and within a radius of 100 metres on either side of this route. However, the prohibition does not apply to police vehicles, VVIP vehicles, ambulances, and vehicles providing essential services, the notification added.