Security Tightened For President Ram Nath Kovind’s Puri Visit Today

A thick blanket of security cover will be in place for President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Puri today. Around 40 platoons of police force have been deployed for the security arrangements in the pilgrim town for the two-day visit of the President.

This will be the President’s third visit to Puri. Last time, he along with his wife Savita Kovind had paid a visit to Odisha in March 2021. The President is scheduled to reach Puri in the afternoon.

A team of the Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel had earlier conducted a mock helicopter drill at the helipad in Puri yesterday.

As per the schedule, President Kovind will visit the Puri Jagannath Temple in the evening. During the VVIP’s visit, no devotees will be allowed inside the shrine. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had also released SOP in this connection.

The general darshan of the deities by the devotees will be restricted for two hours from 4 pm to 6 pm. Puri Superintendent of Police, Kanwar Vishal Singh today said that a spot briefing of the police personnel has been done.

“All the security arrangements have been done as per the protocols. Special forces will also be deployed on the route and venues where the President will visit.”

Special traffic arrangements have been made and the focus will be on ensuring that there is minimum inconvenience to the devotees and other residents during the President’s visit.

Noted sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on Saturday sculpted a sand art on Puri beach to welcome the President.

 

Welcome the first citizen of India to Shree #Jagannath Dham, #Puri through this sandart. @rashtrapatibhvn pic.twitter.com/Q85oKnrNix

— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) February 19, 2022

 

On February 20 (tomorrow), the President is scheduled to visit the Sri Chaitanya Goudia Mutt to offer tributes to Srimad Bhaktisiddhant Goswamy Prabhupad. He will inaugurate the three-year-long celebration of the 150th birth anniversary of the founder of Goudiya mission.