Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu’s special train journey from Bhubaneswar to Berhampur has been secured under elaborate multi-layered arrangements, with strict platform restrictions imposed hours before departure while ensuring normal rail operations continue uninterrupted.
The President, who began her three-day visit to Odisha on Monday, will undertake a rare rail journey as Head of State on Tuesday, travelling in a special train from Bhubaneswar to Berhampur under three-tier security.
As per reports, Government Railway Police (GRP), Railway Protection Force (RPF) teams and other specialised units will travel on board to provide close protection. A comprehensive three-tier security cordon has been put in place both inside and outside Bhubaneswar railway station.
Commissionerate Police will deploy personnel outside the station, while GRP and RPF personnel will secure the interior.
Official sources confirmed that three hours prior to her departure, the movement of all trains will be stopped on platforms 1 and 2. However, rail traffic will not be disrupted as the incoming and outgoing trains will be diverted to platforms 3, 4, 5 and 6.
Around five platoons each of GRP and RPF, along with two platoons of local police, will be deployed in Bhubaneswar. In Berhampur, four platoons of GRP, five of RPF and two of local police will be mobilised.
GRP and RPF personnel will also be stationed at intermediate stations including Lingaraj, Khurda, Nirakarpur, Balugaon and others, as well as at all railway crossing gates and overbridges along the route.
Police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said Odisha Police, Commissionerate Police and central and state intelligence agencies are coordinating closely to ensure a smooth and secure visit.
After arriving in Berhampur, the President will proceed to Taptapani to offer prayers at Maa Kandhuni Devi Temple, where Ganjam police have made separate arrangements; about 30 platoons will be deployed in the town. She is scheduled to return to Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
