Bhubaneswar, 17 April (H.S.): The Odisha government has intensified preparations ahead of the proposed visit of President Droupadi Murmu to Rourkela on April 21. A high-level review meeting was held at Lok Seva Bhawan under the chairpersonship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg, with senior officials from various departments in attendance.

During the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed officials to ensure flawless and seamless arrangements for the President’s visit. She emphasized close coordination among departments and continuous monitoring of all preparatory measures.

The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary of Home, Industries and Information & Public Relations Department Hemant Sharma, and other senior officials. Special Secretary, Home Department, R.K. Sharma presented the detailed itinerary of the President’s visit.

As per the schedule, the President will depart from New Delhi by a special Indian Air Force aircraft and arrive at Jharsuguda airport at 10:25 AM. She will then proceed to Rourkela by helicopter, reaching around 11:10 AM. The President is scheduled to attend a public function at Sector-13, where she will inaugurate several public welfare projects.

Key projects to be inaugurated include the Integrated Command and Control Centre building, a Science Park and Planetarium, and a recreational park at Koelnagar. The President will also visit the Tribal Museum and the Command Control Centre in Rourkela. After concluding her engagements, she will return to New Delhi via Jharsuguda at around 4:50 PM.

Sundargarh Collector Dr. Shubhankar Mohapatra briefed the meeting on local arrangements. District administrations of Sundargarh and Jharsuguda have been instructed to keep circuit houses fully prepared for the visit.

Given the high-profile nature of the visit, special emphasis has been laid on stringent security arrangements. Elaborate security measures will be put in place from the airport to the event venues. Director General of Police Y. B. Khurania, along with the DIG (Western Range) and district Superintendents of Police, joined the meeting virtually to review security preparedness.

Arindam Dakua, Director of Municipal Administration and Additional Secretary, has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate the programme. Authorities have been instructed to ensure adequate arrangements for drinking water, ORS, first aid, uninterrupted power supply, and proper ventilation in view of the expected large public gathering.

Discussions were also held on fire safety measures, motorcade planning, road repairs, sanitation, additional healthcare services in view of the prevailing heatwave, barricading, and media coverage arrangements.

The Chief Secretary made it clear that no lapses would be tolerated in the preparations and directed all departments to carry out their responsibilities with utmost diligence. The Home Department will also set up a dedicated control room to monitor the visit.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda