Time to Amit Shah’s arrival in Odisha: Elaborate arrangements wait in Twin Cities

Bhubaneswar, Aug 7: With a couple of hours to the arrival of Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Odisha today, police and Central intelligence wing have intensified security arrangements in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. Sources said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah is coming in a two-day visit to Odisha today. He will be arriving at the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) around 11 PM. Accordingly 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 moves on road from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack. Shah is scheduled to offer prayers at Lingaraj shrine the following morning, the last auspicious Monday of the holy month of Shravan, and then leave for Cuttack. He will lead a road show from Odia Bazaar to the Indoor Stadium to mark the 75th anniversary of Odia daily ‘Prajatantra’, which was founded by noted freedom fighter and former Chief Minister Harekrushna Mahatab. During the visit, 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 release 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. According to the Cuttack DCP, the Home Minister’s carcade will head for the indoor stadium from Phulnakhara. Special traffic arrangements have been made so that there will be no vehicular movement on the route. As many as 30 platoons of police forces will be deployed in the city. Similarly in Bhubaneswar, security has been tightened and 22 platoons of forces have been deployed ahead of  Shah’s visit. “We have completed advance security check and the carcade rehearsals are being conducted. All steps are being taken to ensure that there are no security lapses,” said Bhubaneswar DCP, Prateek Singh. The Union Home Minister will depart for Delhi around 6.30 pm.