Modi In Odisha: Drone Cameras Banned At PM’s Venues Tomorrow, 70 Platoons, 250 Officers Deployed For Security

A high-level meeting, chaired by chief secretary PK Jena and attended by DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi, among other senior officials, decided to prohibit the use of drone cameras at the PM's venues.

The Odisha government has imposed a ban on the use of drone cameras at the venues where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit during his one-day trip to Sambalpur in western Odisha on February 3. The Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate projects worth over Rs 68,000 crore during a public event in Sambalpur, as per official sources, reported news agency PTI.

A high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary PK Jena and attended by DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi, among other senior officials, decided to prohibit the use of drone cameras at the PM's venues.

"It has been decided not to allow drone cameras at all the venues where the PM will visit," an official release said, adding that required security security measures were in place ahead of Modi's visit.

Modi is expected to reach Jharsuguda airport, from where he will proceed to Sambalpur on a special Indian Air Force aircraft. The PM is scheduled to arrive at IIM-Sambalpur around 2:15 pm.

Regarding the security measures during the visit, Sambalpur Superintendent of Police (SP) Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo mentioned that all necessary arrangements have been made. Approximately 70 platoons (1 platoon comprising 30 personnel) of force, along with 250 officers, have been deployed for the PM’s security.

The decision to ban drone cameras was prompted by a similar incident during Modi's visit to Bahanaga in the Balasore district on June 3, 2023. When PM Modi made a visit to the Bahanaga triple train accident site, some drone cameras were used to click pictures of his visits. But, the Special Protection Group (SPG) had opposed the use of cameras.

A senior official said, "We have taken the SPG’s concern into account and this time completely banned the use of drone cameras at the PM’s venues."

Official sources told PTI that PM Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the 412km Dhamra–Angul pipeline section of Jagdishpur-Haldia and Bokaro-Dhamra pipeline project (JHBDPL)’. Built at a cost of more than Rs 2,450 crore under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga’, connecting Odisha with the National Gas Grid.  

Additionally, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the Nagpur Jharsuguda Natural Gas Pipeline Section (692km) of the Mumbai-Nagpur-Jharsuguda pipeline project. It will develop at a cost of more than Rs 2,660 crore, which will improve natural gas availability to states like Odisha, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. 

PM Modi To Lay Foundation Stone Of Projects Worth Over Rs 28,000 Cr In Odisha

In the same programme, PM Modi will also address to the nation and lay the foundation stone of multiple power projects coasting around 28,980 crores. The projects will be dedicated to the nation including NTPC Darlipali Super Thermal Power Station (2x800 MW) and NSPCL Rourkela PP-II Expansion Project (1x250 MW) in Sundargarh district. Along with it, the foundation stone of NTPC Talcher Thermal Power Project, Stage-III (2x660 MW) will also be laid in Angul district. These power projects will supply power economically to other parts of Odisha as well as different states.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation for the more than Rs 27,000 crore Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) Talabira Thermal power project. Additionally, Modi will open two of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited's coal infrastructure projects: the Lajkura Rapid Loading System (RLS) and the Bhubaneswari Phase-I First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects in the Talcher Coalfields in the Angul district. These projects, which were constructed for roughly Rs 2,145 crore, will improve the quantity and quality of dry fuel from Odisha.

The Jharsuguda district's IB Valley Washery, which was constructed at a cost above Rs 550 crore, will also be inaugurated by the prime minister. It will represent innovation and sustainability and represent a paradigm leap in the quality of coal processing.

According to the official, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited invested Rs 878 crore to build a 50-km second track for the Jharsuguda-Barpali-Sardega rail line phase-1, which Modi will also dedicate to the country.

According to the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), three road sector projects, developed at a total cost of roughly Rs 2,110 crore, will also be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

The projects include four-laning of Rimuli-Koida Section of NH 215 (New NH No. 520), four-laning of Biramitrapur-Brahmani Bypass end section of NH 23 (New NH No. 143) and four-laning of Brahmani Bypass End-Rajamunda Section of NH 23 (New NH No. 143). These projects will enhance connectivity and also contribute towards the economic development of the region.

The PM will also lay the cornerstone for railway projects worth roughly Rs 2,146 crore and dedicate them to the country. He is going to lay the cornerstone for the reconstruction of the Sambalpur railway station, which takes its architectural ideas from Sailashree Palace. In order to increase the capacity of the local rail network, he would also dedicate the Sambalpur-Talcher Doubling Railway Line (168 km) and the Jhartarbha to Sonepur New Railway Line (21.7 km). Additionally, the PM will launch the Puri-Sonepur-Puri Weekly Express, enhancing connection for local rail users.

In addition, Modi will dedicate the Jharsuguda Head Post Office Heritage Building to the country and open the permanent campus of IIM Sambalpur.

Odisha BJP president Manmohan Samal confirmed that the PM will also address a public rally near Remed Chhak of Sambalpur where around 150,000 people will attend the rally. 

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