Bengaluru: Around 18,000 people have registered for Saturday’s Freedom Habba, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) said Thursday. To ensure safety and crowd management, only those with pre-booked registrations and QR-code access will be allowed entry.GBA officials confirmed no on-the-spot or late registrations will be permitted; every participant must pre-register to gain access to the habba. Entry will be free only for those below 12 years of age.The habba, scheduled from 12pm to 10pm, has been divided into three segments. The first, from 12pm to 3pm, will feature stalls and other activities. The second, from 3pm to 5pm, will be dedicated to the parade, while the final segment, from 5pm to 10pm, will include live concerts, stage programmes and a fireworks display.Officials said participants registered for a particular segment will be allowed entry only during that segment to ensure smooth crowd management and enable wider public participation.Facilities at venue* 80 bio-toilets set up, including 30 in Vidhana Soudha and 50 outside the premises* Drinking water distribution counters set up at key locations* “May I Help You?” volunteers, identifiable through designated T-shirts, deployed to assist visitors* Additional Metro and bus services to operate after programme to help participants reach home* Two fire tenders stationed at venue* Two first-aid centres equipped with beds and medical personnel* Four ambulances staffed with paramedical personnel stationed in different directions and will be linked to designated hospitals for emergency response* Women’s help centre set up, which will include breastfeeding room, resting facilities and sanitary amenitiesVidhana Soudha Metro station to be closedDr BR Ambedkar Metro station, Vidhana Soudha, will be closed Saturday from 10am to 9.30pm for the habba. Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) said the decision was taken on the advice of Bengaluru Central City Corporation commissioner, as part of public safety and crowd management measures. During the closure, passengers can use Cubbon Park station or Sir M Visvesvaraya station, Central College.Trains will pass through Vidhana Soudha station without stopping. From 9.30pm, entry into the station will be permitted, BMRCL said.Where you can parkFreedom Park MLCP, Kanteerava Stadium, UB City parking, Shivajinagar MLCP, Nehru Planetarium, St Joseph’s High School Ground, Scouts & Guides parking area, University parking (Jnana Jyothi Auditorium), Government Arts College parking, Link Road (Chinnaswamy Stadium)
