Bhubaneswar: President Ram Nath Kovind arrived here at Biju Patnaik International Airport at around 2.28 PM on a two-day visit.
Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and senior officials received the President here at the airport on his arrival.
As per the schedule, the first citizen of India left for Puri in a special IAF aircraft soon after arriving here at the airport. He will be visiting Jagannath Temple in the evening.
During his visit, no devotees will be allowed inside the shrine from 4 PM to 6 PM. The Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) had also released SOP in this connection.
After visiting the temple, the President will spend the night at Raj Bhawan in Puri, where Governor Ganeshi Lal will host him.
On February 20, the President will inaugurate the three-year celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Srimad Bhakti Sidhant Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada, the founder of Goudiya Mission. He will also visit Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Mutt at 10.30 AM.
Full proof security cover has been put in place in Puri for the visit of the President. Around 40 platoons of police force have been deployed for the security arrangements in the pilgrim town for the two-day visit of the President.
Puri Superintendent of Police, Kanwar Vishal Singh today said that a spot briefing of the police personnel has been done. “All the security arrangements have been done as per the protocols. Special forces will also be deployed on the route and venues where the President will visit,” Mr.Singh said.
Special traffic arrangements have been made and the focus will be on ensuring that there is minimum inconvenience to the devotees and other residents during the President’s visit.
This is the President’s third visit to Puri. Last time, he along with his wife Savita Kovind had paid a visit to the pilgrim town in March 2021.