Government offices to shut by 2 p.m.

In view of the "Run for Unity" Friday to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary, some government offices in the heart of Delhi will close at 2 p.m. Thursday.

The "Run for Unity" will be flagged off at Vijay Chowk by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The central government has decided to celebrate Oct 31 as the "Rashtriya Ekta Diwas" to commemorate the birth anniversary of Patel, the country's first home minister.

Patel, known as the "Iron Man of India", was instrumental in the merger of over 500 princely states to create a united India.

The buildings to be closed from 2 p.m. include South Block and North Block, Rail Bhawan, CSIR Building, Krishi Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan, National Archives and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, an official statement said.

Transport Bhawan, RBI, Yojana Bhawan, Sardar Patel Bhawan, Election Commission, Punjab National Bank Building, Patel Chowk, Akashwani Bhawan and offices along Sansad Marg -- the road leading to parliament -- will remain closed from 2 p.m. Thursday till 8 a.m. Friday.