Indus Valley Times

25 platoons deployed; key installations in Bhubaneswar to remain on high alert on Nov 27–28

By Nalini Sahu

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 24: The Odisha government has intensified security arrangements in the state capital ahead of President Droupadi Murmu’s two-day visit, with a high-level coordination meeting held on Monday to review preparedness and finalise logistics.

As per the schedule, the President will land at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) at 2 pm on November 27 before proceeding to Raj Bhavan, where she will stay overnight. On November 28, she is scheduled to attend an official programme at the Odisha Legislative Assembly, followed by another engagement at Jayadev Bhawan.

To secure her movement, authorities have rolled out a comprehensive four-tier security grid, deploying 25 platoons of police. CISF personnel will handle the inner security ring at the airport, while police forces will be stationed outside the Assembly and along key routes as part of a joint mechanism involving central and state agencies.

The Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissionerate Police has also put in place a dedicated three-tier arrangement, further reinforced by President’s Bodyguard (PBG) commandos and other specialised units. Barricades will be installed along the routes from the airport to Raj Bhavan and from Raj Bhavan to the Assembly to ensure smooth and secure passage.

Monday’s preparatory meeting was attended by officials of the Airport Authority of India, CISF, Intelligence Bureau, Odisha Police, and Fire Services, along with senior officers from the Khordha district administration, PWD, Electricity Department, and the Traffic Wing. The deliberations—chaired by the Airport Director, Traffic DCP, and CISF DIG—focused on inter-agency coordination for a seamless VVIP visit.

BPIA, Raj Bhavan, and the Odisha Legislative Assembly will remain on high alert on November 27 and 28. Overall security will be supervised by five DCP-rank officers, supported by five ACPs, 20 Inspectors, and 30 additional officers.