Kudla on alert as PM’s trip nears

Mangaluru: Elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city on Saturday as part of campaigning for Lok Sabha elections.
A total 1,472 officials and police personnel, including five SP/DCPs, 10 DySP/ACPs, 36 inspectors, 67 sub-inspectors, 147 ASIs, 1,207 head constables and constables have been assigned on duty to ensure his protection, the Mangaluru city police said in a press release.

In addition, 92 Home Guard personnel, 5 KSRP platoons, 19 CAR platoons and two CRPF teams will also be deployed on duty, police said.

Another four Army Service Corps personnel, a bomb detection and disposal squad, 30 door frame metal detectors/30 hand-held metal detectors will be pressed into action to ensure security at the programme venue, airport and throughout the Prime Minister’s travel route. A total 34 sector mobiles and picketing points in 144 sensitive areas will be installed in addition to CCTV cameras, police said, adding inquiry against all suspects has also been undertaken.

Security has been intensified at the airport, railway stations and vantage locations in the city. Duty passes have been issued to workers who will be sitting by the stage, and for those involved in making seating arrangements at Nehru Maidan. A round-the-clock picketing point has been set up at the Nehru Maidan. Every individual entering the football ground will be frisked and his details will be registered, police said.

Vehicle parking

Vehicles arriving from Udupi via Mulki and Surathkal, Kateel-Bajpe-Kavoor and Kulur-Kottara-Chowki are supposed to drop passengers at Navabharath Circle. Buses are to be parked at Karavai Utsav Ground, Urwa Market Ground, Ladyhill Church Ground and Kulur Goldfinch City Ground while cars are directed to be parked at Canara High School Ground, Mannagudde.

Dropping point for vehicles arriving from Karkala, Moodbidri, Sullia, Puttur, Belthangady, Bantwal and BC Road to Nantoor is earmarked at Ambedkar Circle, Jyoti. Buses from these routes are to be parked at Ramakrishna Hostel Ground-Bunts Hostel, Kadri Ground Mallikatte, Padua High School ground and St Agnes School ground. Four-wheelers are supposed to be parked at Shanti Nilaya ground, Balmatta.

Buses from Ullal, Konaje, Deralakatte, Uppala, Kasaragod, Thokkottu, Pumpwell, Kankanady and Mangaladevi need to be parked at Emmekere Ground and Vaman Naik Ground, Nandigudde, while cars must be parked at Morgans Gate ground.