With Bihar assembly polls on the horizon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hit the streets of Patna on Thursday, May 29, for a high-profile roadshow. The event is slated to begin at 4 pm from the Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport and culminate at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state headquarters on Veerchand Patel Path.
The nearly 3-kilometre stretch for the roadshow will take the Prime Minister through Dumra Chowki on Nehru Path, IPS Mess Mor, Hartali Mor, the High Court area and the Income Tax Golambar. With thousands expected to gather along the route, security has been significantly ramped up across the city, the Patna Police posted on X.
This comes just days after a shooting incident on Boring Road, which prompted the Patna Police to strengthen surveillance and increase deployments citywide. "The entire area will be under heightened watch. All necessary precautions are in place," an official said.
To manage the crowd and ensure a secure environment, the Patna Traffic Police have issued an extensive advisory. Speaking to the media, Traffic SP Aparajit Lohan confirmed that a ‘No Entry’ rule will be enforced across key areas from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm on Thursday, IANS reported.
Travellers headed to the airport have been urged to reach before 4.00 pm, post which access will only be granted via police escort vehicles available at three designated locations. Roads from Phulwarisharif to the airport will be completely shut and commuters are advised to take the Jagdev Path as an alternative.
As per IANS report, other significant diversions have also been announced. Entry at Doomra Chowki will be strictly restricted during the roadshow hours. Only ticketed passengers will be allowed access to the airport via the Chitkohra Golambar route, while others can use Harding Road. Vehicle movement at the Income Tax Roundabout will be completely halted. Commuters heading to Gandhi Maidan or the railway station have been advised to take the R Block route instead. For north-bound travel, vehicles should use the Ashiana-Digha Road as an alternative.
Special parking zones have been arranged across the city and the administration is coordinating with NGOs and volunteer groups to ensure smooth crowd movement. Citizens have been advised to avoid non-essential travel through the restricted zones and to strictly follow official guidance.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha commented on the occasion on X, stating, “Your arrival on the land of Bihar is not only an honour but also a symbol of giving new flight to the dreams of crores of Biharis. Your vision is the direction of Bihar's development. Welcome to the holy land of Bihar, honourable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Yes!”
Though the roadshow is being conducted outside the campaign season, it carries significant political weight with Bihar’s assembly elections just months away. The BJP, currently allied with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi’s Hindustani Awam Morcha, Union Minister Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha’s Rashtriya Lok Morcha, is aiming to consolidate its voter base ahead of the polls.
Patna Municipal Corporation workers have been seen sprucing up the roadshow route, repainting dividers and cleaning up footpaths. The crowd turnout is expected to be substantial, especially as BJP supporters from across the city and nearby areas plan to line up along the route.
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