The city is all set to welcome President Pranab Mukherjee who will participate in the convocation ceremony of Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University here on Saturday.
The State Government has made elaborate security arrangements for the visit of the President.
A mock drill on Friday was performed by the city police to ensure full security preparedness for the President’s visit.
As per the President’s schedule, he will participate in the convocation ceremony from 3.30 to 4.30 pm where he would deliver a 15 minute speech and thereafter distribute gold medals to 15 meritorious students.
Chhattisgarh Governor Balramji Das Tandon will preside over the ceremony while Chief Minister Raman Singh will be the guest of honour. The other distinguished guests will include Member of Parliament Ramesh Bais, Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal, Revenue Minister Prem Prakash Pandey and PWD Minister Rajesh Munat. Gold medals will be awarded to as many as 142 students while PhD will be awarded to students besides degrees to students who have passed in the year 2012-13.
Security has been stepped up for the President’s visit and as many as 1,000 policemen have been deployed in the city and adjoining areas. The police personnel are keeping a sharp vigil on the movement of people at Railway station, hotels, bus stand, dhabas and other public places.
The vehicles coming from outside the city are being checked while credentials of suspected people are being verified by the police. Raipur Superintendent of Police OP Pal said that all the Town Inspectors (TIs) have been issued directives in this regard while special teams are on the move keeping a close watch within the city and on the outer areas of the city.
Police will not permit entry of any suspected person in the city in view of President’s visit, said Pal.