Bhubaneswar: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to arrive in Bhubaneswar around 8 pm on Thursday for a two-day official visit to Odisha.
Shah, arriving from New Delhi via a special Indian Air Force aircraft, will stay overnight in the state capital. His packed schedule on Friday, begins with attending the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Raising Day ceremony at Kharavela Regional Training Centre (KRTC) at Mundali in Cuttack district, honouring its role in national security. He is also scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) and the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) Bhubaneswar campus at Jatni in Khurda district.
Additionally, he will virtually inaugurate the NFSU transit campus in Bhubaneswar to strengthen forensic education and investigation, and inaugurate an exhibition on the new criminal laws at Idco Exhibition Ground, Bhubaneswar.
Shah will further inaugurate Sulphuric Acid Plant at Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Ltd (Paradip Unit) of the Cooperation Department, boosting fertiliser production and agri-infrastructure, and other state departments. He will also participate in Shwet Kranti 2.0 & Cooperative Push, initiatives focused on dairy growth, youth empowerment and farmer welfare.
Traffic Restrictions
In preparation for the high-profile visit, the Commissionerate Police of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack has imposed temporary traffic restrictions on specific routes in both cities to ensure smooth movement and security.
On March 5, vehicular movement will be restricted from 8 pm to 8:45 pm at key points including Airport Square, Hospital Square, AG Square, Lok Bhavan Square, Power House Square, 120 Battalion Square, Shastri Nagar Square, Behera Sahi Square, Jaydev Vihar Square, and XIMB Square.
On March 6, restrictions will apply in phases: from 9:45 am to 10:35 am on routes such as Jaydev Vihar Square, XIMB Square, Nalco Square, Damana Square, Patia Square, KIIT Square, Nandankanan Square, Baranga Golei, Puri Canal, Godisahi Canal Chhak, and CISF KRTC Mundali in Cuttack. Further curbs are scheduled from 4:30 pm to 5 pm at Airport Square, Hospital Square, AG Square, PMG Square, Rabindra Mandap Square, Housing Board Square, and Ram Mandir Square. From 6:30 pm to 7 pm, restrictions will cover Ram Mandir Square, Housing Board Square, Rabindra Mandap Square, PMG Square, AG Square, Hospital Square, and Airport Square.
Commissioner of Police SD Singh emphasised that no vehicles will be permitted on the specified roads or entering from connecting lanes during these times, though exemptions apply to emergency services like ambulances and fire vehicles. He urged residents to avoid these routes, use alternate roads wherever possible and plan their journeys in advance to minimise inconvenience.
No Fly Zone
In view of Shah’s visit, the Cuttack Administration has declared a 5-km radius around the CISF at Mundali as a ‘No Drone Zone’ from March 3 to 6. Flying of paragliders, paramotors, powered hang gliders, microlight aircraft, hot air balloons, UAVs and drones has been strictly prohibited in and around the event venue and its surrounding areas during this period. Apart from aerial restrictions, all civil works, construction activities, excavation, road cutting and maintenance works have been prohibited within the CISF campus and along designated routes. Departments including Works, Rural Development, RWSS, TPCODL and civic bodies such as CMC/CDA have been directed to ensure strict compliance. Ongoing activities in nearby areas will remain temporarily suspended.