The district administration on Saturday (July 15, 2026) announced traffic restrictions for July 28 and 29 in view of the annual Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Giri Pradakshina at Simhachalam.

The restrictions are expected to significantly impact vehicular movement across the city, particularly on National Highway 16. For the first time, the stretch between Visakha Valley Junction and Maddilapalem Junction on NH-16 will remain closed during the event. This closure is expected to pose a major logistical challenge for the traffic police and may lead to congestion on alternate routes.

Officials said the number of pilgrims taking part in the sacred hill circumambulation has been increasing every year, prompting the administration to impose stricter traffic regulations and diversions.

The police have announced that no vehicular traffic will be allowed in either direction between Hanumanthawaka and Adavivaram from 6 a.m. on July 28 until 2 p.m. on July 29. Movement of vehicles in both directions between Visakha Valley Junction and Maddilapalem Junction, as well as between Visakha Valley Beach Road Junction and Kurupam Towers, will be prohibited from 12 noon on July 28.

According to the city traffic police, RTC buses, heavy vehicles and vans travelling from RTC Complex and Maddilapalem towards Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Kothavalasa, Araku and Paderu will be diverted via Convent Junction, Port Road, Sheela Nagar, Kurmannapalem, Duvvada Railway Station, Asakapalli, Sabbavaram Highway, Pendurthi and Anandapuram National Highway.

Cars, auto-rickshaws, and two-wheelers proceeding towards Madhurawada, Anandapuram, Kothavalasa, Araku and Paderu from RTC Complex will be diverted through NAD Junction, Sheela Nagar, Gavara Jaggayyapalem, Narava Junction, Amruthapuram, Pendurthi and Anandapuram.

Similarly, RTC buses, heavy vehicles, and vans coming from Vizianagaram and Srikakulam towards Anakapalli via Visakhapatnam during the closure of the Hanumanthawaka-Maddilapalem stretch will be diverted through Anandapuram, Anakapalli Highway, Sabbavaram, Asakapalli, Duvvada Railway Station Road, Kurmannapalem, Gajuwaka, Sheela Nagar, Port Road, Convent Junction and RTC Complex.

From 6 a.m. on July 28 to 6 p.m. on July 29, only Giri Pradakshina Special RTC buses will be permitted to operate between Vepagunta Junction and Old Gosala. Vehicular movement will also be completely prohibited on the Adavivaram–Old Gosala–Gopalapatnam Petrol Bunk route and between Gopalapatnam Petrol Bunk Junction and Adavivaram via Old Gosala.

At NSTL Junction, all vehicles will be diverted to the right carriageway, while the left carriageway will be reserved exclusively for devotees participating in the Giri Pradakshina.

The traffic police have appealed to the commuters to plan their journey in advance and use the designated diversion routes and cooperate with the authorities to ensure the smooth conduct of the annual religious event.

Published - July 25, 2026 07:15 pm IST