Security beefed up in Raipur ahead of Modi's visit on Tuesday

A multi-layered security blanket has been thrown over the city for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chhattisgarh tomorrow as part of the state's 16th foundation day celebrations.

Raipur, Oct 31: A multi-layered security blanket has been thrown over the city for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Chhattisgarh tomorrow as part of the state's 16th foundation day celebrations.

The Prime Minister will also launch 'Saur Sujala Yojana' which aims to provide solar pumps to 51,000 farmers for irrigation in the state. Besides, he will also dedicate the state's first man-made jungle safari and Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) at Naya Raipur.

The five-day 'Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav' – the statehood celebrations- will be held at the sprawling Rajyotsav Sthal at Naya Raipur, the upcoming new capital of Chhattisgarh. Modi will arrive at the Swami Vivekanand Airport in Raipur and will leave for Jungle Safari, a public relation official here said.

He will inaugurate the Jungle Safari zoo which has been developed in an area of 320-hectares in Naya Raipur. Later on, the Prime Minister will dedicate the BRTS developed under public transport service facility between Raipur and Naya Raipur, he said.

Subsequently, Modi will unveil the idol of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay and dedicate the two-kilometer long 'Ekatm Path' constructed between Naya Raipur railway station and Capitol Complex, the official said.

He will then head to Rajyotsav Sthal to inaugurate the statehood celebrations. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister will also meet with sarpanch and panch of different villages under 'Hamar Chhattisgarh' scheme. After addressing a public meeting, the Prime Minister will return for Delhi, the official said.

On the occasion, Modi will also felicitate Mungeli and Dhamtari districts and 15 divisional blocks (Janpad Panchayats) for being 'Open Defecation-free' as part of the Swachch Bharat Mission (Rural).

Special Protection Group (SPG) officials in coordination with Chhattisgarh police and paramilitary officials are handling the security arrangements, a senior police official said. The multi-layered security, comprising of about 4,000 security personnel will keep a hawk's eye on the venue.

Armed guards have been deployed at all strategic locations, he said. Under 'Saur Sujala Yojana', as many as 51,000 solar powered irrigation pumps of 3HP and 5HP capacity worth Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 4.5 lakh respectively, will be distributed among equal number of farmers by March 31, 2019.

PTI