Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu arrived in Bhubaneswar on Monday afternoon on a three-day visit to Odisha during which she is set to attend a series of programmes.
Soon after her arrival at Biju Patnaik International Airport (IBPIA) in the capital city, the President was received by Governor Haribabu Kumbhampati and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Senior officials of the state government were also present as Murmu was accorded a warm welcome at the airport.
The President proceeded to Lok Bhavan where she will have a reserved schedule till around 4 pm. She is then slated to travel by road to Damapada in Kataka district to inaugurate Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj University. Following the event, she will return to Bhubaneswar and stay overnight at Lok Bhavan.
On Tuesday, the President is scheduled to begin her journey to southern Odisha by boarding a special train from Bhubaneswar Railway Station at 9 am. She is scheduled to arrive at Brahmapur Railway Station at 11.10 am, from where she will travel by road to Panthanivas, Taptapani.
After lunch and a brief rest, which includes a traditional bath in the Taptapani hot springs, President Murmu will visit the Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple at Taptapani. She will later proceed to Gopalpur, where she will stay overnight.
On August 5, the President will leave Gopalpur for Brahmapur Railway Station and return to Bhubaneswar on a special train. After arriving at Bhubaneswar Railway Station, she will proceed directly to the airport and depart for New Delhi aboard an Indian Air Force aircraft. She is expected to reach Palam Airport at 3.10 pm before returning to Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Odisha Police, in coordination with central agencies, have made elaborate security arrangements in Bhubaneswar, Kataka and Ganjam in accordance with the Blue Book protocol, an official said.
Around 40 platoons of police personnel and nearly 150 police officers have been deployed in Bhubaneswar and Kataka, while SP-rank officers have been assigned to supervise security at each venue. Commandos will accompany the President throughout her visit.
Ganjam Collector V Keerthi Vasan said the venues of the President’s visit in the district have been declared “no-flying” zones.