PM Narendra Modi during the road show.
– Photo : amar ujala
Expansion
On the arrival of the PM, there was a special security cordon within a radius of seven kilometers of the city. There was barricading on both sides of the routes from the airport to Ayodhya Dham. The reputation of the security agencies was at stake regarding the program. Surveillance continued at various places with the help of modern technology. When the program was completed safely, everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
Special security cordon was prepared on the arrival of PM. The borders were not sealed, but the entry of heavy vehicles was stopped due to the programme. Security forces were deployed at a distance of 50-50 meters from the airport to the Lucknow-Ayodhya highway and the road show route. A seven kilometer perimeter of the city was considered a sensitive area. There were special security arrangements within a radius of three kilometers.
There was barricading on both the tracks of the PM’s passing routes. Armed soldiers were deployed on the houses built on both sides of the roads and kept an eye on the movements from all directions. Security remained tight at major intersections, intersections, underpasses etc. The highway was evacuated before the arrival of the PM. Only vehicles of security forces and police-administration were seen speeding.
During the program, security arrangements were monitored not only from land but also from air and water. Armed soldiers kept an eye on the movement of the river in the floating control room built on the new ghat. A contingent of NDRF soldiers continued patrolling aboard a motorboat. Drone cameras were also flying in the air and taking stock of the security arrangements.
SPG and NSG commandos were around the PM
Apart from the pass holders, only SPG and NSG commandos were camped around the Prime Minister during his roadshow and darshan-puja program. SPG and NSG commandos remained ready with modern weapons at the entrance of Shri Ram Temple and on the roof of the temple in all four directions. Security arrangements were maintained in five circles. Apart from SPG, more than 25,000 soldiers including NSG commandos, ATS, STF, paramilitary forces and civil police remained on stand at various places.
Security agencies kept an eye on the control room
Technology was also used extensively to make the security cordon impenetrable. AI cameras were installed at various places, which were directly connected to the integrated command and control room. This helped a lot in face recognition, automatic number plate recognition etc. The officials of the intelligence agencies kept staring at the screen in the control room. There were soldiers in plain uniform standing guard at the program sites, who also kept paying attention to the expressions and reactions of the people. People were also interrogated if there was even the slightest doubt.
Modi kept raising political temperature as the sun set
As the heat of the setting sun kept decreasing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept raising the political temperature with road shows. As soon as PM Modi boarded the chariot after paying obeisance to Shri Ram Lalla, the streets which were deserted till two hours ago, became buzzing with supporters. While the saffron camp was excited by the PM’s road show, there was a lot of agitation among the opposition parties too. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s road show was proposed in Ayodhya Dham on Sunday evening. Due to the political programme, there were no restrictions throughout the day, but due to the scorching heat people could not muster the courage to come out of their homes. The situation was such that even till four in the evening, most of the roads and streets of Ayodhya Dham remained deserted. But as the sun started setting and the heat started decreasing, people started getting addicted to Modi.
Even the barricading near Shri Ram Temple turned saffron, where people were seen dancing to the tunes of the DJ. People kept taking selfies on Modi’s cutout throughout Ramnagari. By sunset, these deserted streets of Ayodhya were filled with supporters and workers. As soon as the supporters got wind of Modi’s arrival in the district, the atmosphere echoed with slogans of Modi-Modi. Even though people were stopped by barricading the streets, all restrictions seemed to have bowed before their enthusiasm. On the other hand, there was more talk of political activity in the opposition camp than in the ruling party due to Modi’s knock. Prominent leaders and officials of the opposition parties also kept taking moment-to-moment updates of the road show from some media persons and their colleagues. The real impact of the road show remains in the future, but through it the Prime Minister definitely gave the election message.
PM’s roadshow stopped the speed of heavy vehicles on the highway
Heavy vehicles were stopped on the highway due to PM’s road show. Due to this, there was a jam of about three km long in Rudauli. Along with heavy vehicles, small vehicles also got stuck in the jam, which were able to get out after a long time. Drivers of heavy vehicles had to face a lot of difficulties in the scorching sun.
