Ambedkar’s death anniversary: Large gathering of followers expected at Chaityabhoomi today

The entire stretch of road starting from Dadar station till Shivaji Park has been cleared of encroachment and hawkers. Civic officials said designated flying squads have been deployed to track illegal parking.

Spread across 30 acres, the entire Shivaji Park has been converted into a makeshift shelter, with cooking and catering services arranged at the Shivaji Park Gymkhana. Civic ward offices said NGOs and self-help groups will be allowed to distribute food only after prior reservation.

“To make sure safety measures are followed and traffic movement is not obstructed, we have appealed to NGOs and self-help groups to pre-register themselves with the BMC. Separate windows have been set up on both sides of the park and designated areas have also been marked for food trucks,” said a civic official. The official added that specific lanes have also been marked as parking space for ambulances and to ensure smooth flow of emergency vehicles.

The local BMC ward office has also set up barricades and CCTV cameras. A control room has also been set up. “We have installed charging points and Wi-Fi hotspots as well and have made residential arrangements for the monks. To make sure devotees don’t find it difficult to reach the location, air balloons will be launched from the ground,” the official added.

Civic officials said the event will be live-streamed across social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.