By Yajati Rout
Copyright pragativadi
The event will see the inauguration, foundation stone-laying, and dedication of multiple developmental projects across Odisha and other states. In preparation, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja chaired a review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, to ensure seamless arrangements for the high-profile visit.
The meeting, attended by key officials including Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department Satyabrata Sahu, and other departmental heads, focused on the detailed itinerary of the Prime Minister’s visit. Ganjam District Collector Kirti Vasan joined virtually, while Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Arvind Agrawal, presented a comprehensive overview of the programme.
Discussions covered stage preparations, seating arrangements for guests and attendees, event checklists, and coordination for both on-site and virtual components of the programme. Chief Secretary Ahuja issued directives to ensure meticulous planning and execution.
In a parallel development, State Police Headquarters issued a press note detailing security arrangements for the visit. Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania, accompanied by Minister for Commerce, Transport, Mines, and Steel Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, visited Berhampur to oversee preparations. The DGP inspected the Rangailunda airstrip, where the Prime Minister is scheduled to land before proceeding to the event venue. With an expected gathering of over a lakh people, extensive security measures, traffic management, and parking arrangements were reviewed. To mitigate potential threats, the DGP instructed police officials to conduct thorough checks on hotels and lodges in the city.
Additionally, DGP Khurania chaired review meetings at the Berhampur District Police Headquarters and the Ganjam SP’s office to assess the law-and-order situation, crime control measures, and strategies to combat drug trafficking and other criminal activities. He directed officials to devise a blueprint to curb narcotics smuggling and work towards making the district crime-free. Senior officers, including Additional DGP (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar, IG (Southern Range) Niti Shekhar, SP Ganjam Shubhendu Kumar Patra, and SP Berhampur Dr Sarvana Vivek M, were present during these discussions.
The Prime Minister’s visit is expected to be a landmark event, spotlighting Odisha’s developmental strides and reinforcing the state’s commitment to progress and security.
