Security beefed up for PM visit

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Security for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit has been beefed up with around 6,000 policemen led by Bengaluru City Police Commissioner CH Pratap Reddy keeping a close watch on the proceedings at the five events, including a public rally in the city.

The Bengaluru top cop on Thursday said that there will be tight security across the city during the movement of the PM. "PM Modi is using a helicopter to avoid traffic jams in the Central Business District," he added.

As per the schedule, the PM will arrive at 9 am and will leave for Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu at 1.45 pm. During his whirlwind tour spanning about four hours, PM Modi will take part in five programmes including the inauguration of a 108-feet tall bronze statue of Kempegowda, who is considered as the founder of Bengaluru city.

The PM will arrive in a special flight at HAL Airport at 9 am and head to Vidhana Soudha to garland the statues of social reformers Kanaka Dasa and Valmiki in the premises. Later, he will reach Sangolli Rayanna Railway Station and wave a green f lag to inaug urate the Vande Bharata Express and Bharat Gourav Kashi Darshan trains.

The PM will then go to the Kempegowda International Airport and inaugurate the swanky Terminal-2 at 11.30 a.m. He will also inaugurate the Kempegowda statue built in the premises of Bengaluru airport at 12 noon. Afterwards, he will participate and address a public gathering at 12.20 pm.