The central celebration of Independence Day in Assam will be held at Judges Field in Guwahati as the Agriculture University field at Khanapara area of the city is being used for COVID-19 care centres.
The Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations, along with major events, were previously hosted at the Judges Field in the heart of the city.
But following a Gauhati High Court judgmenet, the field has now been reserved exclusively for sporting activities.
This would be the first time that an exception has been made due to the prevailing pandemic situation.
State chief secretary Kumar Sanjay Krishna reviewed the preparedness at Judges Field on August 13.
The chief secretary, along with commissioner of police Munna Prasad Gupta and GAD commissioner and secretary M Angamuthu, inspected the Judges field and took stock of the preparedness and instructed to do the needful for timely completion of works, safe and hassle free arrangements of the state level programme.
During the inspection, deputy commissioner of Kamrup (Metro) Biswajit Pegu and other senior officials were present.
The celebrations would be low key in the entire state as in other parts of the country due to the safety protocols in place for COVID-19.
No students will take part in the parades and there will be no cultural functions or tea gatherings at any of the venues, including the Judges Field.
Frontline COVID warriors will be invited for the celebrations, while participation of public would be kept sparse.
All participants in the parade and other official duties at the celebration venues are being tested for COVID-19 as a precautionary step.
Meanwhile, movement of individuals has been allowed in the state between 6 am to 5 pm on August 15 in view of Independence Day.
Weekend lockdown to check spread of COVID-19 in the state otherwise prohibits movement of any person or vehicle during Saturdays and Sundays.
