The District Magistrate of South Andaman has notified the temporary closure of Marina Park Road, the stretch between Subhash Chandra Bose Statue and Dharmshala, for five consecutive days from June 26 to 30, 2025. The road will remain closed from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM each day to facilitate the Physical Education Test (PET) being conducted for the selection of Home Guard Volunteers.
The traffic restriction is aimed at ensuring the smooth and safe conduct of the PET race, which forms a critical part of the recruitment process for Home Guard personnel. The closure has been enforced under powers vested by the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, in conjunction with the Administration’s 2008 notification on traffic regulations.
The PET is expected to witness significant participation and will require uninterrupted access along the stretch of road for race activities and logistical movement. Authorities have therefore ordered complete suspension of vehicular traffic along the designated stretch during the operational hours of the event.
To manage the impact of the road closure on daily commuters and general traffic, alternative routes have been suggested and will be managed by local traffic personnel. Public transport and private vehicle operators have been advised to adhere strictly to the diversion plans and avoid entering the restricted zone during the notified hours.
The administration has also appealed to residents and commuters to cooperate with law enforcement and traffic management teams deployed in the area. Signage and traffic cones are expected to be placed at critical junctions to guide diverted traffic, and updates on route changes are likely to be communicated through local channels.
The road segment between Marina Park and Dharmshala is a high-traffic corridor, particularly during morning and evening hours, often serving as a transit route for offices, schools, and waterfront activities. The closure, though temporary, is expected to create ripple effects in local traffic flow, with mild congestion anticipated along parallel routes.
This temporary measure is part of the standard protocol followed for recruitment events that require controlled environments for physical assessments. With the PET being a timed race, free movement along the track becomes essential to maintain fairness and safety for candidates.
Officials have assured that emergency services and essential movements will be facilitated through alternate corridors. The South Andaman administration has further advised commuters to plan their travel in advance and avoid the closed stretch between 5:00 AM and 5:00 PM on the notified dates.
As the PET progresses, the administration is likely to assess daily developments and adjust diversion strategies if needed. The current notification will remain in effect until the conclusion of the PET on June 30.
