Mysuru: Parts of Mysuru city are being built for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on Saturday.
Institutions expected to be visited by Modi, during his visit to Mysuru on August 1, and their streets are being cleaned and decorated.
Officials said their seats and roads will be turned into forts, with access restricted to those invited only.
Viveka Memorial
Modi will be in Mysuru to inaugurate Viveka Smaraka, the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Youth Centre, on Narayana Shasthri Road in the city. Later, he will attend a public meeting at the Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala Sports Stadium. While the Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) is trying to give the final touches to roads and footpaths, cleanliness and beautification, the police department, under the direction of the Special Protection Group (SPG), is finalizing the PM road, barricading, security arrangements and helicopter and cavalry trials.
Swami Muktidananda, president of Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, said Modi will inaugurate the memorial at 3.30 pm and offer prayers at the Shiva temple on its premises. “At 4.30 pm, a public stage program will be held at the Sri Ramakrishna Vidyashala grounds, where the Chief Minister will address the gathering in the presence of Swami Gautamananda, president of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, State MP, State President Wadadiyar B. Vijayendra, and MLA K Harish Gowda.
He explained, “Swami Vivekananda stayed at Sri Niranjana Mutt in Mysuru in 1892. To commemorate his visit and spread his ideals, among the youth, the Ashrama has built the cultural center on the premises of the Mutt.
Mysuru gets change
Ahead of Modi’s visit, several potholed roads, faded parapet walls and neglected stretches across Mysuru are getting a quick facelift. MCC authorities are working round the clock to beautify the city. Major arterial stretches including Oval Grounds, Narayana Shastri Road, JLB Road and KRS Road have been newly tarmacked. Careful lines along the curb and median are getting new coats of paint.
Tree branches and overgrown leaves are being trimmed along the roads of the Prime Minister’s motorcade. In addition, MCC has engaged a team of young artists, led by CAVA student Syed Mujahid, to paint murals depicting purity and heritage in complexes along Narayana Shastri Road, Sita Vilas Road, Vani Vilas Junction, Railway Underpass and Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama.
Barricades have been placed on both sides of the roads for security purposes, while Narayana Shastri Road has been decorated with decorative lighting. MCC workers are clearing litter, clearing footpaths and planting ornamental plants.
The three helipads
The Prime Minister will land at the Mysuru airport before taking a helicopter to the Oval Grounds of the University of Mysore. The Department of Public Works (PAK) has constructed three temporary helipads on site.
A 10-member team of SPG officials conducted thorough field inspections on Wednesday in coordination with the Mysuru District Administration and City Police. Deputy Commissioner G Lakshmikanth Reddy and City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar briefed the SPG personnel about the site layouts and movement routes. Mysuru City Corporation Commissioner MK Savitha and Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) Harsha Priyamvada and KS Sundar Raj were present.
Dry runs and mock drills, involving the Prime Minister’s motorcade, were held on Thursday. They will be repeated on Friday.
