Chief Secretary K Vijayanand has stated that stringent security arrangements have been made for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Visakhapatnam on January 8. On Tuesday, he reviewed the preparations with officials from the relevant departments through a video conference from the State Secretariat. During the review, the CS directed the officials to ensure all arrangements are completed by Tuesday night, leaving no room for errors, and to ensure strict adherence to the security protocols.
The Prime Minister’s visit will include virtual inaugurations and the laying of foundation stones for around 20 projects. The CS instructed the concerned departments to handle their respective tasks with utmost care. The Prime Minister is scheduled to arrive in Visakhapatnam by air at 4:15 PM on Wednesday, January 8. He will participate in a roadshow from 4:45 PM to 5:30 PM. From 5:30 PM to 6:45 PM, PM Modi will conduct several virtual inaugurations and foundation stone ceremonies, followed by a speech at the venue. Afterwards, the PM will depart from the venue at 6:50 PM, head to Visakhapatnam Airport, and board a flight to Bhubaneswar at 7:15 PM.
The Prime Minister’s visit will span approximately three hours and will include various programmes. His roadshow will cover around one kilometre, stretching from the Venkatadri Vantillu Restaurant area to the Andhra University Engineering College Ground. At the venue, the PM will lay the foundation stones for key projects, including the Visakhapatnam Railway Zone headquarters, the Green Hydrogen Hub at Pudimadaka, the Bulk Drug Park at Nakkapalli, the Krishna Patnam Industrial Node, and the doubling of railway lines for the Guntur-Bibinagar and Gooty-Pendekallu sections. Additionally, PM Modi will virtually inaugurate the 6-lane bypass at Chilakaluripet on National Highway 16, along with several national highways and railway lines.
Anticipating a large crowd for the roadshow, the CS instructed the Visakhapatnam District Collector, Police Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner, and other officials to ensure sufficient parking facilities. The CS also directed the electricity department to guarantee an uninterrupted power supply for lights at the event, parking areas, and roadshow locations.
The Municipal Department has been tasked with providing drinking water, temporary toilets, and other essential facilities at the event site and parking areas. As people from surrounding districts such as Anakapalli, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam are expected to travel to Visakhapatnam by buses and other modes of transport, the CS has requested the respective district collectors and SPs to ensure their safe arrival and departure. Additionally, arrangements for drinking water, refreshments, and meal facilities for attendees must be made without any lapses. The CS also instructed the police department to manage traffic and parking smoothly to prevent any disruptions.
During the video conference, DGP Dwaraka Tirumala Rao informed that the police, in coordination with the Special Protection Group (SPG), are implementing strict security measures for the Prime Minister’s visit. Visakhapatnam District Collector Hariendra Prasad confirmed that arrangements are being made for around 80,000 people to attend the roadshow and approximately 180,000 people for the event. Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner S Bagchi assured that sufficient arrangements have been made for parking and traffic management to avoid congestion.
The meeting was attended virtually by Principal Secretary of the General Administration (Political) Department S Suresh Kumar, Intelligence IG PHD Ramakrishna, and several other senior officials.
