Traffic advisory issued ahead of State Cabinet meeting at Praja Soudha
The Mangaluru City Police have appealed to commuters to avoid roads around the Praja Soudha complex at Padil on 18 September 2026, after the State Cabinet arrives in the city for a meeting there. A police communique said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and his Cabinet colleagues will arrive on the evening of 17 September and remain in Mangaluru.
The advisory warns of planned VIP movements that will affect several important city stretches on the evening of 17 September, the morning of 18 September (the day of the meeting) and the morning of 19 September. Police asked road users not to park vehicles on the flanks of the listed stretches during VIP movement and to use alternative routes wherever possible. Passage of ambulances and other emergency-service vehicles will be allowed, the communique said.
- Do not park on flanks of the designated VIP route stretches during movement.
- Use alternative roads such as the Nanthoor Circle–Padil Junction bypass where indicated.
- Do not halt vehicles on convoy route stretches; follow directions of traffic personnel.
"The city police have urged users to avoid roads around Praja Soudha in view of the State cabinet meeting," the communique said.
Planned VIP routes and alternatives
The police listed arterial stretches that will see VIP movement. Commuters were specifically asked to avoid the Bhagwan Mahaveer (Pumpwell) Circle–Padil road on 18 September.
| Timing | Notable stretches on VIP route |
|---|---|
| Evening, 17 September | Kavoor, Bondel, Maryhill, KPT, Kadri Kambala, Bunts Hostel, Dr. B R Ambedkar (Jyothi) Junction, Hampankatta, Clock Tower, Hamilton Junction (from Bajpe Airport) |
| Morning, 18 September | Hamilton Junction, Clock Tower, Hampankatta, Dr. B R Ambedkar (Jyothi) Junction, KPT Junction, Nanthoor Circle, Bhagwan Mahaveer (Pumpwell) Circle, Naguri, Bajal Cross (Praja Soudha), Padil Junction |
| Morning, 19 September | Same corridors as evening of 17 September (return movements) |
To reduce congestion, the communique spelled out specific diversion instructions for motorists near Hotel Taj Vivanta and other choke points. Vehicles intending to go from Badria Junction toward Hamilton Junction in front of Hotel Taj Vivanta were asked to follow Badria Junction–Nileshwar Road–Rosario Road instead. Traffic in the reverse direction was asked to use Nellikai Road.
For travellers between Pumpwell Junction and Padil Junction (via Naguri), the police suggested using Nantoor Circle–Kaikamba–Maroli or Thokkotu–Derlakatte–Mudipu–Boliyar–Melkar as alternatives. Vehicles from Bajal Cross (Praja Soudha) heading to Bajal or Kankanady Junction (railway station) were instructed to continue on NH 66 and pass the Jappinamogaru gate and Bajal. Motorists from Thokkotu toward Pumpwell were advised to reach the city via Mahakali Padpu–Mangaladevi.
Impact and local context
Mangaluru is the administrative hub for Dakshina Kannada district, and Padil’s Praja Soudha hosts the district office complex. Traffic disruptions on these central stretches—Pumpwell, Nanthoor, Hampankatta and Hamilton—can ripple across the city, affecting commerce, public transport and daily commutes. The police appeal aims to reduce crowding and facilitate secure, timely movement of the VIP convoys while preserving passage for emergency services.
Commuters, public-transport operators and logistics providers are advised to plan journeys accordingly for 17–19 September. The Police Commissioner of Mangaluru City Police urged everyone to observe traffic rules and cooperate with traffic personnel deployed to manage the movements.
Further updates and any short-term route changes will be announced by the Mangaluru City Police as the schedule is executed, the communique said.
