Road closure at Little India for Deepavali weekend

Visitors to Little India can expect large crowds during Deepavali celebrations, especially on Oct 19, the eve of the Hindu festival, said the police.

In an advisory on Oct 17, they said that there will likely be heavy traffic - both vehicular and human - along Serangoon Road during this period, and advised motorists to use alternative routes instead.

To manage the crowd and traffic, the pedestrian crossing at Birch Road, in front of Angullia Mosque, will be closed from 4pm on Oct 19 to 4am on Oct 20.

The nearest pedestrian crossing that people can use will be the ones near Kitchener Link or near Baboo Lane.

If necessary, the pedestrian crossing at Campbell Lane may be closed too, said the police, who added that in this case crossings near Sungei Road or Dunlop Street would be the closest alternatives for pedestrians.

Signs will be put up to direct pedestrians, and auxiliary police officers will also be on hand to provide assistance.

The police also advised people to be vigilant and look after their belongings, with tips including slinging bags in one's front and avoiding placing wallets in back pockets.

They also reminded people that there will be no public drinking allowed in Little India and Geylang - which are Liquor Control Zones - from 10.30pm on Oct 17 to 7am on Oct 21.

Those found flouting the rules will face harsher penalties, with repeat offenders facing a fine of up to $3,000, a jail term of up to 4 1/2 months, or both.

Meanwhile, those who sell liquor beyond the hours that are allowed may have their liquor licences revoked.

The police also warned against the illegal possession, importation and discharge of fireworks, which are classified as explosives. Offences related to them can result in a jail term of up to three years and a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals, or $100,000 for entities.

They also brought up that those who misuse sparklers, such as by combining multiple sparklers together and setting them off at once, can face punishment of up to a year in jail or a fine of up to $5,000, or both.

Those who end up hurting someone else with sparklers can be jailed for up to three years or fined, or both.