First visit of NaMo after becoming PM
Prabhat Tara ground at Ranchi holds special significance for Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi who held his maiden political rally as PM designate on the ground. Modi, coincidentally, is scheduled to make his maiden visit as the PM on the same ground on August 21 to inaugurate one of the largest power grids of the country and address the people of the State.
Despite not getting a formal intimation from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ranchi district administration this time is on toes to ensure foolproof security and related arrangements for the visit. The Power Grid Corporation of India limited (PGCIl),
which has constructed the grid on a 90-acre plot at Bero at an estimated cost of Rs 800-crore, is primarily making arrangements of the inaugural ceremony.
“We have not got any official intimation from the PMO. We have been coordinating and making required arrangements as per the PGCIl’s request. All preparations are being made by PGCIl and we are only providing administrative support like security,” said Ranchi DC Vinay Kumar Choubey.
The ground is being prepared amid the challenges of monsoon to roll out a red carpet welcome to Modi. The red carpet will lead the PM to a grand doom shape stage from where he will inaugurate the facility created at 29km from the capital through Internet. Bamboo barricading for people and media gallery are being prepared for the PM’s visit.
However, monsoon has added to complexities of the programme as the administration is in search of solid ground to make the PM’s chopper land safely. As many as three choppers are likely to accompany the PM’s fleet of flying machines, according to sources.
“Initially we wanted to create helipad in the cricket stadium but now we are considering the option of using the proposed campus of Jharkhand High Court to make a temporary helipad,” said a district administration official.
The district administration, however, is tight-lipped about security measures and is still awaiting official confirmation from the Prime Minister’s Office. Since the PM gets the highest level of security, any decision on security cover will be finalized only after a visit by a team of SPG.
“We will definitely ensure security of highest level but this is an initial stage so we are still in the process of finalizing details regarding his (PM) visit,” added Choubey.
Chairman of PGCIl RN Nayak arrives at Ranchi on Wednesday to supervise preparations for the inaugural ceremony. The PM will inaugurate the substation from Prabhat Tara ground itself and will address a gathering of about 15,000 people for which arrangements are in full swing.
Meanwhile, residents of the area are excited about the visit of the PM on the same ground where he mesmerized people with his powerful speech laced with promises of a better future. People living along the periphery of Prabhat Tara ground deem the inauguration of the largest substation managed by a state-owned public utilities company as a harbinger of a bright future.
“We listened to him (Modi) with hopes when he was making promises. I guess the event will remind him of those promises. This will be a unique experience for the PM of addressing nation from the same ground from where he had delivered speech as PM candidate. In the same vein this will be a unique experience for us also,” said a local resident, Savita Singh.