Bhubaneswar: The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are witnessing elaborate arrangements for Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s two-day visit to Odisha. He will be arriving at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) around 10 PM on Sunday.
According to sources, the twin cities are being decorated with posters, banners, and placards of Shah. Several cultural troops have been hired to perform for welcoming Shah, who is credited with the BJP’s growth in Odisha. A number of grand receptions have also been planned by BJP at Phulanakhara, Link Road, Nishamandi Mandap, Pala Mandap, Badambadi, Dolamundai, Haripur, and Dargha Bazar when he travels from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack by road.
It is pertinent to mention here that Shah will visit the state for the first time after becoming the home minister.
After the night stay at Mayfair here, Shah is scheduled to offer prayers at Lingaraj Temple the following morning, the last auspicious Monday of the holy month of Shravan, and then leave for Cuttack, where he will lead a road show from Odia Bazaar to the Indoor Stadium, where an event is being organised to mark the 75th anniversary of Odia daily ‘Prajatantra’ founded by noted freedom fighter and former Chief Minister Harekrushna Mahatab. The event will also be attended by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Cuttack DCP Pinak Mishra told the media that the Home Minister’s arcade will head for the indoor stadium from Phulnakhara. “Special traffic arrangements will be made and there will be no vehicular movement on the route. A total of 30 platoons of police force will be deployed in the city,” he added.
In Bhubaneswar, security will be tightened and 22 platoons of forces deployed. “We have completed advance security check and the cavalcade rehearsals are being conducted. All steps are being taken to ensure that there are no security lapses,” said Bhubaneswar DCP Prateek Singh.
Shah will also pay homage to revolutionary leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at his birthplace Janakinath Bhavan on the occasion of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
After returning from Cuttack, he will hold a meeting of the state BJP’s core committee at its headquarters in Bhubaneswar. “Shah’s discussions with the core team of the BJP may bring a lot of clarity regarding the party’s future in the state,” a senior BJP leader told the media.
Later in the evening, he will take part in a book reading session at Mayfair Convention here and launch the Odisha edition of ‘Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery’ around 4 pm. This book has been written on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s completion of 20 years in office, from becoming the chief minister of Gujarat in 2001.
The Union Home Minister will depart for Delhi around 6.30 pm.
