Patna: Patna’s historic Gandhi Maidan will remain closed to the public from January 11 to 25 as the district administration steps up preparations for the 77th Republic Day celebrations, to be held on January 26.
The Patna district magistrate, Dr Tyagarajan SM, announced the restrictions after inspecting the venue and reviewing arrangements with senior officials. He said the temporary closure was necessary to ensure smooth rehearsals, security deployment, and infrastructure setup for the national event.
“The Republic Day ceremony will be organised in a grand manner. To avoid any inconvenience and ensure safety, entry to Gandhi Maidan has been prohibited during the preparation period,” he told reporters.
The sprawling ground has been divided into four security zones, each under the supervision of officers of the additional district magistrate and the additional superintendent of police. As part of heightened security measures, 128 CCTV cameras are being installed in and around the venue.
In addition, 18 watchtowers, a central control room, and temporary police stations will be set up to monitor movement and respond quickly to any emergency.
Officials said parade rehearsals would take place daily from January 11 to 24. Medical teams, ambulances, drinking water facilities, and temporary toilets will be stationed on the ground to support participants during practice sessions.
The move reflects a broader security strategy adopted across major cities ahead of national events, where surveillance, crowd control, and emergency preparedness are treated as top priorities.
