Security tight ahead of CM Naveen Patnaik’s visit to Gurupriya bridge in Odisha

MALKANGIRI: Security has been tightened ahead of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik’s visit here on Thursday to inaugurate the 910-metre long Gurupriya Bridge, termed the lifeline of people in the cut-off regions.

Elaborate arrangements have been made for the Chief Minister’s visit. District Collector Manish Agarwal, in a meeting with police and district administration officials, asked them to remain alert. The Chief Minister is slated to interact with panchayatiraj members and villagers as part of the ‘Ama Gaon, Ama Vikas’  programme to be held here on Thursday. It is anticipated that more than 50,000 people from across the district will attend the programme. The district unit of Biju Janata Dal and local legislator Manas Madkami are upbeat about the Chief Minister’s visit.

Meanwhile, police have heightened security arrangements in the cut-off area in the wake of Maoists’ opposition to the inauguration of Gurupriya bridge. The bridge site and its vicinity have been sanitised even as area domination operations have been started by personnel of Border Security Force, District Voluntary Force and Special Operations Group at Badapada, Janbai and adjoining areas, said SP Jagmohan Meena.

The BSF personnel are keeping a close watch on the helipads at Badapada and Janbai.
The Chief Minister is also scheduled to inaugurate the newly constructed seven-storied district headquarters hospital along with 48 other projects during his visit.