Vasu Potnuru Visakhapatnam

Aheadof Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to inaugurate Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, security has been heavily beefed up at Bhogapuram.

Close to 5,000 police personnel are expected to be deployed to ensure a safe, secure and smooth inauguration of the airport followed by the public meeting which is expected to draw 2 lakh people. During his visit to Bhogapuram, Narendra Modi will spend two hours and twenty-five minutes participating in various events.

A no-fly zone has been declared for 72 hours. Restrictions are in place within a 5-km radius of the new airport, public meeting venue, helipad and surrounding routes from 8 pm on July 29 to 8 pm on August 1.

Drones, paragliders, microlight aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles are prohibited from flying in the region. On August 1, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive at Bhogapuram on a special flight from Delhi. 200 classical dancers will welcome the Prime Minister by performing Kuchipudi soon after he reaches the terminal building. Subsequently, the Prime Minister will inspect the facility for about 15 minutes along with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Governor S Abdul Nazeer and other dignitaries.

The Prime Minister will then proceed to the public meeting venue in an open-top vehicle, where more than 13,000 tribal women and students will welcome him with Dhimsa dance. Rehearsals are in full swing in Bhogapuram for the mega event which is expected to gain a place in the Guinness World Records forthe highest participation. The inauguration is slated for 11:30 am, followed by the public meeting. Apart from inaugurating the new airport, the Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various other development projects worth Rs.17,912 crore. Besides the Bhogapuram Airport, the Prime Minister will inaugurate an aviation hub, a skill development centre and an educity, among others.A fleet of buses will ferry people from various parts of North Andhra for the public meeting.