VISAKHAPATNAM : The State Government is pulling out all stops to make Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second visit to Visakhapatnam on July 16 a landmark. Though both the programmes scheduled to be attended by the Prime Minister are in connection with the public sector companies under the Central government, the State Government is going all out to impress him by making his visit a grand success.
Soon after the official communique was received about the PM’s visit, the district administration has swung into action following instructions from the state and the Central governments. District collector N Yuvaraj has directed the officials to prepare three convoys for Modi who will visit the underground rock cavern developed by the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) and also the expansion unit of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant besides addressing a public meeting at the Steel Plant.
Apart from preparing helipads for choppers for Modi’s transportation at INS Satavahana and the Steel Plant, the officials are also taking up road repair works and beautification of the roads between INS Satavahana and the ISPRL, to ensure a smooth drive for the VVIP. The Medical and Health department along with the King George Hospital will set up makeshift hospitals at the venues of the PM’s visit. Six nodal officers have been deployed to oversee the arrangements at the airport, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, the ISPRL, and the public meeting.
The debut visit of Narendra Modi as the PM to Visakhapatnam was not particularly pleasant as it occurred in October last year when the city was devastated by cyclone Hudhud. The PM made a whirlwind tour of the city before announcing a relief package of `1,000 crore for reconstruction of the city. He promised to return to the Port City after it was rebuilt.
Meanwhile, the Special Protection Group which is in-charge of the PM’s security had already sought from the district administration, the details of the places to be visited, the road by which to travel and their alternative routes besides the security arrangements by the local police. Sources said that the SPG had already visited these spots and chalked out their security strategies to avoid any untoward incidents.