Varanasi, Oct 14 (IANS) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday reviewed preparations for the upcoming air show and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit, conducting an on-site inspection at “Namo Ghat” and issuing detailed directives on crowd management, security, and logistics.
The Chief Minister first visited Namo Ghat, where the Police Commissioner, District Magistrate, and Army officials briefed him using project maps.
He inspected the proposed arrangements and instructed that robust security measures be ensured not only at Namo Ghat but also at other major ghats along the Ganga.
The air show is scheduled for October 22, 24, and 25, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and other dignitaries expected to attend on the final day.
Later, at a review meeting held at the Circuit House auditorium, CM Yogi stressed the need for effective crowd management in view of the anticipated large turnout.
He directed the deployment of adequate police forces so that the public faces no inconvenience and called for a comprehensive police deployment plan that takes into account other festivals and events in the city.
The Chief Minister ordered smooth traffic management through a well-planned route diversion system and sufficient parking facilities with clear signage.
He instructed proper barricading at the venue and riverfront ghats, availability of adequate life jackets, and readiness of a green corridor for emergencies. Mobile toilets must be provided in sufficient numbers at the ghats, and police, traffic police, and municipal personnel should be deployed at parking sites.
He also directed the Municipal Corporation to launch a special cleanliness drive for the ghats and a city-wide sanitation campaign. Ghats from Namo Ghat to Assi Ghat are to be painted, spiral lights installed on utility poles along major routes from the airport, and key intersections beautified.
The Vice-Chairman of the Varanasi Development Authority was asked to ensure necessary action. District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar and Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal presented the administration and police preparations.
Chief Medical Officer NP Singh outlined health arrangements, while Municipal Commissioner Himanshu Nagpal reported that silt is being cleared from the ghats, 300 mobile toilets and 400 water tankers have been arranged, and 3,000 sanitation workers have been deployed.
The Chief Minister suggested involving volunteers from the NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, Civil Defence, and Yuvak Mangal Dal.
He ordered that all necessary medical facilities remain ready in government and private hospitals. The meeting was attended by State Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, several ministers of state, MLAs, MLCs, Mayor Ashok Tiwari, senior police and administrative officers, Air Force officials, and other department representatives.
–IANS
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