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The city of Bengaluru was abuzz with anticipation as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday, June 3. The team’s return home was expected to spark jubilant scenes, with a grand open bus parade planned to celebrate the historic win. However, those celebrations have been abruptly curtailed, leaving thousands of fans disappointed as the much-awaited parade through the heart of the city stands cancelled.
RCB’s victory celebration in Bengaluru: Change of plans
The primary reason for the cancellation is the severe traffic congestion expected in central Bengaluru. The city, already known for its dense traffic, was bracing for even heavier movement due to the influx of fans and the celebratory atmosphere. The Bengaluru Traffic Police, after assessing the situation, issued an official advisory confirming that the open bus parade would not take place as originally planned.
The parade was scheduled to start from the iconic Vidhana Soudha and end at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where the team was to be felicitated. However, with the Central Business District (CBD) already experiencing heavy traffic, authorities decided that proceeding with the parade would only exacerbate congestion, disrupt public movement, and pose safety risks.
In their notification, the Bengaluru Traffic Police advised the public to avoid roads surrounding Vidhana Soudha and Chinnaswamy Stadium till 8 pm IST, citing the scheduled felicitation function for the RCB team at the stadium. The advisory also stressed the lack of parking space in the area and encouraged fans to use public transport or the Metro instead of personal vehicles.
The cancellation has sparked disappointment among RCB’s massive fanbase, who had waited 18 years for this moment. Many viewed the open bus parade as a fitting tribute to the team’s perseverance and success. Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan criticized the government for poor planning, stating that the city had ample time to prepare for such a landmark event and that the celebrations should have felt like a festival, not an inconvenience.
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Revised itinerary of RCB’s victory celebration
In place of the parade, RCB will now hold a felicitation event at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium from 5 pm to 6 pm. Entry to the stadium is restricted to ticket or pass holders only. Before the stadium event, players will meet Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at Vidhana Soudha and then proceed directly to the venue.
Fans without tickets will have to settle for watching the celebrations on television or online, as access to the stadium is tightly regulated. The authorities’ decision, while disappointing to many, was made in the interest of public safety and to prevent city-wide gridlock.
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