JHARSUGUDA: Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jharsuguda, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday reviewed arrangements for the mega event while attending to important governance matters of the state at the same time.
After overseeing preparations, Majhi also gave his nod to hike dearness allowance for state PSU employees by 2 per cent as he attended to crucial administrative issues late in the evening.
Reviewing arrangements at Amlipali ground, the venue of the PM’s programme, Majhi reportedly found lapses in stage construction, logistics and limited space in the designated ‘D Zone’ and expressed dissatisfaction with senior officials over the preparations.
DGP YB Khurania and other senior officers were directed to rectify the shortcomings immediately. The chief minister instructed the officials to ensure that security, infrastructure, and event arrangements are completed flawlessly.
Sources said all arrangements at Amlipali ground are almost complete. The road from Jharsuguda airport to the venue has been decorated with banners, cutouts and barricades, while the chief minister is personally supervising the preparations. Senior officials including chief secretary Manoj Ahuja and DGP are inspecting logistics to ensure smooth conduct of the event.
With the authorities expecting a crowd of lakhs, around 60,000 checkpoints have been set up to manage the huge gathering. Security has been tightened from the airport to the venue. Vehicles are being checked along National Highway-49 and Biju Expressway. The prime minister’s carcade has been rehearsed in advance.
On the day, a bike rally was organised in Jharsuguda town ahead of the prime minister’s visit to the district on Saturday. The rally, which started from BTM chowk and culminated at Sarbahal, witnessed enthusiastic participation from BJP leaders, workers and local residents.
BJP state president Manmohan Samal, Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, Bargarh MP Pradeep Purohit, and Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy participated in the rally.
PM Modi is scheduled to arrive at Veer Surendra Sai Airport at 11.15 am on Saturday. He will then proceed to Amlipali ground and address a youth convention for an hour. During the event, Modi is also scheduled to lay foundation stones for multiple projects.