Residents of Jalandhar can look forward to a long weekend, with schools, colleges and Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) within the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation limits observing a half-day holiday on Saturday, October 24, ahead of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti on Monday, October 26.
Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia has issued orders directing all government and private educational institutions covered by the notification to close after 12 noon on October 24. The decision has been taken in view of the Shobha Yatra marking Bhagwan Valmiki Ji’s Parkash Utsav.
According to the district administration, the half-day holiday aims to facilitate the smooth movement of traffic during the religious procession and respect the sentiments associated with the occasion.
Traffic diversions will be implemented at designated junctions on October 24 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM during the Shobha Yatra to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. As indicated in the route plan, diversion points include Workshop Chowk, Patel Chowk, Kapurthala Chowk, Chik-Chik Chowk, Football Chowk, Domoria Pull, Partap Bagh Chowk, G.P.O. Chowk, Doaba Chowk, Railway Crossings at Adda Tanda and Adda Hoshiarpur, Skylark Chowk, Namdev Chowk and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chowk. Police Commissionerate Jalandhar appeals to the general public to plan their journeys in advance, avoid the procession route and affected junctions wherever possible, follow the directions of traffic personnel and use alternative routes as advised by the Traffic Police. Commuters are requested to cooperate with the police and follow official traffic advisories to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the Shobha Yatra.