Access to areas near National Stadium reopened after restrictions owing to NDP Preview

Access to areas near the National Stadium was reopened following temporary closures due to overcrowding during the National Day Preview on August 1. Police announced via a Facebook post at approximately 7:30 p.m. that access to Stadium Riverside Walk and the Water Sports Centre in the Kallang precinct had been restricted because of growing crowds around the Kallang Basin area. Members of the public were advised to avoid these zones. By 9 p.m., the police confirmed that the crowd situation had eased and that all areas had been re-opened to the public. The closure lasted roughly 90 minutes, with authorities urging individuals to monitor real-time updates through the Crowd@NationalStadium online map or the police's social media platform. These resources were made available from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on August 1 and again on August 9, the date of the actual parade. Those visiting the National Stadium area on either day were recommended to check current crowd levels before heading out. During the preview, police officers, Singapore Armed Forces personnel, and auxiliary police officers managed crowd movement along key locations including Stadium Riverside Walk, Tanjong Rhu, and the Republic Avenue promenade. Transportation adjustments were also implemented to manage congestion. The Stadium, Tanjong Rhu, and Nicoll Highway MRT stations were anticipated to experience heavy foot traffic, prompting officials to encourage the use of nearby stations such as Kallang and Mountbatten. Trains might temporarily skip certain stations if they became overly crowded. Additionally, pedestrians were prohibited from gathering on footpaths along Merdeka Bridge and Tanjong Rhu Bridge. A prior advisory warned against cycling near the National Stadium due to the risk of collisions in the congested environment. Several roads surrounding the National Stadium complex were closed until 11 p.m. on August 1, including those bounded by the National Stadium, Singapore Indoor Stadium, Leisure Park Kallang, Jalan Benaan Kapal, Kallang Field, Decathlon Kallang, Kallang Tennis Centre, and Home of Athletics. Tanjong Rhu Place and Tanjong Rhu View were also closed to vehicular traffic during this time. Traffic delays were forecasted along Guillemard Road, Sims Way, Nicoll Highway, Mountbatten Road, Tanjong Rhu Road, and Stadium Boulevard. After the event, the public was asked to remain patient and comply with instructions from on-duty personnel to assist in gradually dispersing the large crowds. Authorities emphasized the importance of adhering to safety guidelines and staying informed through official channels. The measures taken aimed to ensure the smooth operation of the National Day Preview while prioritizing public safety. As the event concluded, efforts continued to manage the flow of people and vehicles, ensuring that the area could return to normalcy as quickly as possible.