Bhubaneswar: The Odisha capital is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he visits the city on Friday to commemorate the first anniversary of the maiden BJP government, led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, in the state.
The capital is adorned with vibrant billboards featuring the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister, and Deputy CMs K V Singh Deo and Pravati Parida.
Arrival
PM Modi will fly to Odisha from Siwan in Bihar and land at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) at 3.40 pm. A traditional Odia cultural welcome will greet the Prime Minister at the airport.
Roadshow
The Prime Minister will hold a road show, take part in a ‘Tiranga Yatra’ en route to Janata Maidan from 3.45 pm to 4.15 pm. The route will feature vibrant Odia folk music and dance performances, showcasing the state’s cultural heritage.
Public Meeting
The state-level event at Janata Maidan will be held from 4.15 pm to 5.30 pm during which PM Modi will unveil Odisha’s Vision Document, outlining a long-term roadmap for the state’s growth. He will also launch new development and welfare projects.
Central and state ministers, MLAs and MPs, besides party workers from all the 147 assembly segments and Lok Sabha constituencies, will take part in the anniversary celebrations.
Modi will address a large gathering at the event, which is expected to draw over one lakh people, before departing for New Delhi at around 5.50 pm.
Projects Launch
Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate and lay foundation stones for development projects exceeding Rs 18,600 crore, spanning vital sectors such as drinking water, irrigation, agriculture, healthcare, rural roads, bridges, highways, and railways.
He will also introduce new train services, connecting Boudh district to the rail network for the first time.
Additionally, he will launch 100 electric buses under the CRUT program to promote sustainable transport and clean energy.
Modi will unveil Odisha’s Vision Document, focusing on 2036, marking Odisha’s centenary as India’s first linguistic state, and 2047, India’s independence centenary. The vision document outlines a roadmap for inclusive growth with goals of a $500 billion economy by 2036 and $1.5 trillion by 2047.
He will felicitate women achievers, celebrating over 16.5 lakh Lakhpati Didis as icons of prosperity and self-reliance.
To honour Odisha’s notable figures, Modi will launch the ‘Baraputra Aitihya Gram Yojana,’ an initiative for transforming their birthplaces into cultural hubs with museums, interpretation ceneers, statues, libraries, and public spaces to preserve heritage and boost tourism.
Traffic Restrictions
The Commissionerate Police have identified 10 key routes that will face major traffic restrictions during the Prime Minister’s visit. The 8-km route from Biju Patnaik International Airport to Janata Maidan, along with adjacent and connecting roads, will be high-traffic zones from 3 pm to 6 pm due to Modi’s roadshow.
Routes linking Capital Hospital Square, AG Square, Raj Bhawan Chhak, Power House Square, 120 Battalion Chhak, Shastri Nagar Chhak, Behera Sahi Chhak, Jaydev Vihar Square, XIMB Square, and Nalco Square will see heavy security and traffic diversions during this time.
Commuters have been advised to plan trips and use alternate routes, with 17 parking areas designated to ease congestion. Heavy vehicles and lorries will be barred from the city. Vehicles from Khurda on NH-16 will be redirected from Pitapalli Chhak towards Cuttack via Chandaka. Lorries from Cuttack will be diverted at Balikuda Chhak towards Pitapalli via Chandaka.
A traffic advisory has also been issued for the PM’s roadshow.
Ama Bus services will be diverted on several routes (09, 10,12,13,17,18,21,23,26,27,28,30,36,37,39, 40,47 & 66) in view of the event.
Security Arrangements
A total of 135 police platoons, 16 DCP-rank officers, 33 additional DCPs, 93 ACPs, 100 inspectors, and 450 SIs and ASIs have been deployed in the city to maintain order during Modi’s visit.
The city has been declared a ‘No-Drone, No-Fly’ zone from the airport to the event venue to ensure safety.
Central Armed Police Forces and other central agencies are also involved in ensuring foolproof security. Measures such as anti-sabotage checks, traffic management, crowd control, and anti-terror vigilance have been strengthened from airport to the event venue.
Schools In Twin Cities Closes, Half-Day Office
The government has declared a holiday for all schools in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on June 20 as the twin cities may witness crowding in view of the PM’s visit.
The second-half of the day has also been declared holiday for all government offices and revenue and magisterial courts located under Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation limits.