Bakshi Stadium draped in tricolour; flying of drones temporarily banned in Srinagar; roads leading to Bakshi Stadium to remain closed for public transport
Srinagar: The Bakshi Stadium here has been draped in national tricolour for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit on Thursday even as stringent security arrangements have been put in place to ensure the high profile event passes off peacefully.
Prime Minister Modi will participate in the ‘Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir’ programme at the Bakshi stadium on Thursday.
The officials said that tight security arrangements have been made for the visit of the prime minister, which will be his first to the valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
The security forces have been deployed in numbers all along the routes to be taken by Prime Minister Modi during his stay in Srinagar while barricades have been established at many places to prevent movement of the people during the VVIP visit, the officials said.
Drones and CCTV cameras are being used for surveillance while foot patrolling by the security forces has been intensified in a two-kilometre radius around the venue.
Marine commandos have been deployed in river Jhelum and Dal Lake to prevent the use of these water bodies for any subversive activities, they said.
Several schools falling along the route to be taken by the prime minister have been closed for Wednesday and Thursday while board and university examinations scheduled to be held on Thursday have been postponed till next month.
The flying of drones and quadcopters has been temporarily banned in Srinagar city in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit here on Thursday, police said.
The Srinagar Police’s direction, which came into effect on Wednesday, said all unauthorised drone operations in the city are liable to being penalised.
In his first visit to Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, Modi will unveil multiple development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore and address a public meeting here.
“Srinagar city has been declared as ‘Temporary Red Zone’ for the operation of drones and quadcopters as per provisions of Rule 24(2) of Drone Rules, 2021, with immediate effect,” the Srinagar Police said in a post on X on Wednesday.
Police said all unauthorised drone operations in the “Red Zone” are liable to being penalised according to relevant provisions of 2021 drone rules.
“As responsible citizens, your cooperation is solicited in this regard,” the Srinagar Police said.
The Inspector General (IG) of Traffic, Bhim Sen Tuti also said that the roads leading to Bakshi Stadium, the venue of PM’s rally, will remain closed for public transport.
Addressing media persons, IG Traffic said that starting from 4:00 AM until 7:00 PM on March 07, the traffic movement from Jehangir Chowk to Rambagh and Rajbagh to LD Hospital-Tulsi Bagh route will be restricted.
“Motorists travelling between Jehangir Chowk and Rambagh are advised to use alternative routes through interior roads, specifically the Rambagh-Hyderpora-Moominabad-Batmaloo road instead of the Solina-Magarmal Bagh axis,” said the IGP Traffic.
He said traffic assistance points will be stationed at strategic locations to facilitate smooth movement along these routes.
Similarly, motorists travelling from Radio Kashmir-Rajbagh and adjacent areas towards Solina-Rambagh are advised to take the M A/RR Road-Jehangir Chowk Batmaloo-Moominabad-Hyderpora route instead of the Rajbagh-Jawahar Nagar-LD Hospital-Tulsi Bagh Road axis.
Additionally, movement of vehicles from Panthachowk towards Sonwar and vice-versa will be discouraged during this period.
“Students appearing for examinations are urged to carry valid ID cards and roll number slips and to reach their examination centers before 8:30 AM and leave after 3:00 PM to avoid any inconvenience,” the officer said, adding that “special arrangements” have been made for students at traffic assistance points.
He also said the motorists are advised to avoid traveling on Gupkar road and instead use the Dalgate-Nehru Park road to reach their destinations.
Citizens are reminded to park their vehicles only at designated parking places to prevent congestion, as wrongly parked vehicles will be towed, he said.
Moreover, in case of emergencies or assistance, citizens can contact the Traffic Police on the special service number (103), added the IGP Traffic.
“The restrictions and advisories are implemented to ensure the safety and smooth functioning of traffic during the Prime Minister’s visit to Srinagar,” he added.
