AHMEDABAD, FEB 21
US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are set to jointly address a gathering on Monday, February 24 at Sardar Patel stadium in Motera here.
“Both the leaders will conduct roadshows between Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport in the city and the Motera stadium but it is not clear whether PM Modi and President Trump will travel in the same car or separate vehicles,” said special police commissioner, city crime branch, Ajay Tomar.
When asked if they will be travelling in open vehicles, Tomar said that the two leaders will not use open vehicles.
Even though the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Ravish Kumar and Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani did not mention about Trump’s visit to Sabarmati Ashram, Tomar said that he was not aware of any change in Trump’s itinerary. He was addressing reporters at the crime branch office here on Thursday.
When asked about the number of people expected during the roadshow, Tomar said, “One should not take risk of giving any numbers. But I am sure that the roads will be packed.” He said that the stadium has a capacity of 1.10 lakh people and the entry will be given until the stadium is fully occupied.
On security arrangement, he said, “We will be utilizing an anti-drone system developed by DRDO to secure the roadshow route. Apart from police personnel on the ground, we will also deploy our men on the terraces of roadside houses.”
Earlier, the police had said that more than 10,500 police personnel, led by 25 senior IPS officers, will be deployed for the roadshow security.
Along with the local police, teams of the Rapid Action Force, the State Reserve Police Force, Chetak Commando and the Anti-Terrorist Squad would be deployed on strategic locations, said Tomar.
He said that special arrangements will be done for some guests at the GMDC ground. These guests will be taken to the Motera stadium in a bus.
The participants will be given water and buttermilk by Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) and caps will be given to give protection from sunlight.
Traffic to remain closed for public from 8 am onwards
As US President Donald Trump and PM Narendra Modi will be holding a roadshow and an event at the Sardar Patel stadium in Motera, seven stretches of road measuring about 9km, will be closed for the general public from 8 am on February 24 till the event ends.
Joint commissioner of police J R Mothalia said the road between Janpath T junction and Motera T junction will be closed. The roads between New CG Road, Sangath Mall and Motera stadium, between Koteshwar T junction and Krupa Residency, between Devarsh Flats and the clubhouse in Motera and from Bhat Circle to Koteshwar Crossroads will remain closed.
To avoid these roads, people can go from Apollo Circle to Janpath T junction and they can also go towards Sardar Patel Ring Road through the Motera T junction.
The road between Noble T junction, Indira Bridge Circle and Airport Circle will be closed and people can take the alternative route towards Nana Chiloda Ring Road, Galaxy Underbridge and Naroda Patia.
The stretch between Shahibaug Dafnala and Airport Circle will also be closed but people will able to commute between Ghevar Circle and Shahibaug underpass.
Mothalia said 2,800 ST buses, 4,000 cars, and 35,000 two-wheelers are likely to come for the event.
CM Rupani reviews Trump visit arrangements
Chief Minister Vijay Rupani held a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar on Thursday to review and finalize arrangements for the visit of US President Donald Trump on Monday. Senior secretaries apprised the CM of security and other arrangements being put in place for the roadshow and Motera stadium event of PM Modi and President Trump.
Minister of State for Home, Pradipsinh Jadeja, who was present in the meeting, listed out the traffic control arrangements that have been put into place and also the plan to ensure smooth travel of over one lakh guests to the stadium on February 24.
The CM also sought details of the arrangements made by the state government and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation to make the programme accessible to the masses.
