PM Modi to Visit Bhubaneswar Today: Traffic Advisory Issued, Schools Closed

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Bhubaneswar Tuesday (September 17), on his birthday, to inaugurate the Subhadra Yojana at Janata Maidan. The scheme, aimed at providing financial assistance to over one crore women across Odisha , is a key social welfare initiative by the state’s BJP government. This visit is Modi’s first to the state since attending the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in June.

Ahead of the large gathering and increased traffic during the event, the Commissionerate of Police has issued a traffic advisory to ensure smooth traffic flow. The restrictions will be in place from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm today.

Traffic Advisory Issued for Bhubaneswar:

• No vehicle movement: Roads between Jaydev Vihar and NALCO Square will be closed to general traffic.
• Alternative routes: Vehicles from Nandankanan heading toward Jaydev Vihar should use Damana Square via Acharya Vihar or Sikharchandi routes. Similarly, traffic from Jaydev Vihar to Nandankanan will also need to use the diverted routes.
• Cuttack-bound vehicles: Traffic from Cuttack is advised to take NH 316 or Nandankanan road to Bhubaneswar.
• Baramunda traffic: Vehicles from Baramunda side are allowed to take the service road from Crown Hotel towards Jaydev Vihar square.
• Emergency vehicles: Fire and ambulance services are exempt from these restrictions.

Commuters are requested to plan accordingly and avoid the restricted routes during these hours.

Schools and Colleges Shut, Government Offices on Half-Day

In view of PM Modi's visit, all schools and colleges within the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area will remain closed today. The Chief Minister's Office confirmed this in a notification, which also stated that government offices would observe a half-day closure.

The decision aims to reduce traffic congestion as large crowds are expected to gather at Janata Maidan for the inauguration. A press note from the CMO emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, “In view of the huge public meeting, the state government has decided that all the schools and colleges of Bhubaneswar will be completely closed on that day, and the government offices will be closed for the first half of the day.”

Elaborate Security Arrangements for PM's Visit

A high-level meeting was held ahead of the visit, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, with the Director General of Police and other senior officers. The Odisha Police have made extensive security arrangements, deploying 3,000 personnel, including 500 officers, to ensure safety and manage the crowd.

Security measures include:

• Barricading of roads: All routes that the Prime Minister will travel have been barricaded.
• Deployment: 11 DCP-rank officers, 22 additional DCPs, 66 ACPs, and 100 inspectors will be on duty. Around 81 platoons of personnel, supported by 500 home guards, will also be deployed.
• Special tactical units: Three tactical units, along with CRPF companies and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODARF), are on standby.

Subhadra Yojana: A Major Welfare Initiative

The Subhadra Yojana, named after Goddess Subhadra, sister of Lord Jagannath, will provide Rs 10,000 annually to over one crore poor women in two instalments for five years. This scheme was a key promise made by the BJP during the recent state elections.

In addition to launching this welfare program, PM Modi will also unveil infrastructure projects, including railway projects worth Rs 2,871 crore and highway projects worth Rs 1,000 crore. The event is set to begin at noon, with Modi scheduled to depart for Delhi at 1:15 pm.