Bhubaneswar: The Janpath road from Master canteen to Vani Vihar in Bhubaneswar has been sealed by the police for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mega road-show that will begin at 8.30 PM.
The 3.2 km stretch has turned into a fortress with the deployment of heavy security forces comprising of State police, central police and SPG.
Vehicular movement has been completely restricted on the route while the road connecting to Janpath will be temporarily closed for commuters during the road-show.
Over three lakh BJP workers from across the State will witness the event, party leaders said.
“Odisha’s rich heritage, culture and tradition will be reflected in the road show. The event will impact the entire State as it is being organised in the Capital city. Prime Minister Modi has recently highlighted the Odia language and Asmita in an interview which will be reflected during his road-show. The BJP is going to form the government alone in the State and Modi is going to be the prime minister for a third term,” Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal said.
The roadshow will be a historic one ahead of the simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly elections in the state, Samal added.
The police deployed 55 platoons (each platoon comprises 30 personnel) and would impose traffic restrictions on the Janpath from 2 pm on Friday for the event, he said.
Apart from over 1,500 police personnel, five DCP ranked officers, 10 additional DCPs, 27 ACPs, 41 inspectors and 180 sub-inspectors are being deployed for the PM’s roadshow,” Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Sanjeeb Panda said.
Three teams of special tactical unit (STU) and police personnel in plainclothes will also be deployed during the event, he said.
After the roadshow, the Prime Minster will stay the night at the Raj Bhavan, the party leader informed.
PM Modi will also address three public rallies – the first in Kandhamal at 9.30 am on Saturday, the second in Bolangir at 11.30 am and another in Bargarh at 1 pm.