Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay his maiden visit to iconic Syama Prasad Mookerjee Civic Centre in the Capital, becoming the most high-profile visitor to the sprawling structure ever since its inauguration. Modi along with the top brass of the Bharatiya Janata Party will be here to attend party’s National Council meeting on August 9. The meeting will be held at Kedar Nath Sahni Auditorium in C-Block of the Civic Centre which houses the headquarters of the North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations.

This is first occasion when the Prime Minister of India will be visiting the 28-storey building; the tallest structure in the national Capital. In April 2010, the then Home Minister P Chidambaram had inaugurated the Civic Centre in presence of BJP stalwart lal Krishna Advani. The foundation stone for the building was laid in 1994 by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Standing Committee chairman in North Delhi Municipal Corporation, Mohan Bhardwaj confirmed that the National Council meeting at Civic Centre auditorium and said elaborate preparations along with heightened security arrangements would be made for the same. He said the auditorium has been booked by the BJP for the meeting on August 9. Sources said it is likely that the Prime Minister might also take a tour of the 28-storeyed building which gives a panoramic view of the national Capital.

To chalk out a detailed preparatory plan, leader of House in North Delhi Corporation, Mira Aggarwal has called a meeting of all senior leaders and councillors of BJP on Monday. The Mayor, Standing Committee Chairman and chairmen of various committees would also attend the meeting. Sources said a grand welcome will be accorded to the Prime Minister who will inaugurate the daylong National Council meeting.

The venue of the meeting, Kedar Nath Sahni Auditorium, was inaugurated last year ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections. The 1000-seat capacity auditorium is equipped with ultra-modern technology like digital multimedia projector and video and audio recording facilities. Besides, the public address system is also connected to the pre-function area and lounge. Named after former Delhi Mayor Kedar Nath Sahni, the auditorium is rented out to individuals, institutions and organisations to hold official, cultural, social and educational functions.