Tight security in Thiruvananthapuram ahead of PM’s visit

The State capital has come under a tight security blanket ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to commission the Vizhinjam International Seaport on May 2.

Mr. Modi is expected to arrive in the city on Thursday evening and stay overnight at the Raj Bhavan. The next day, he will travel by helicopter from the Pangode Military Camp to the Vizhinjam port helipad to attend the inauguration ceremony scheduled at 11 a.m.

Senior officials of the Special Protection Group and the city police assessed the security arrangements for the programme. A trial run was conducted on Wednesday. Official sources said around 2,000 police personnel will be stationed at various points from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to Vizhinjam and towards Raj Bhavan. Barricades have been erected on the roadsides along the route.

Traffic restrictions and designated no-parking zones will come into effect from 2 p.m. on May 1 until 2 p.m. on May 2. On May 1, parking will be prohibited along Shangumughom-Chakka-Pettah-Pallimukku-Pattoor-General Hospital-Asan Square-Museum-Vellayambalam-Kowdiar route from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. On May 2, from 6.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., parking will be prohibited along Kowdiar-Vellayambalam-Althara-Edapazhinji-Pangode Military Camp-Pallimukku route.

Vehicular movement will be restricted along Shangumughom-Valiyathura-Ponnara-Kallumoodu-Enchakkal-Mithrananthapuram-Sreekanteswaram Park-Thakaraparambu flyover-Choorakkattupalayam-Thampanoor flyover-Thycaud-Vazhuthacaud-Vellayambalam, Vazhuthacaud-Mettukada-Thampanoor flyover-Overbridge-East Fort-Manacaud-Kamaleswaram-Ambalathara-Thiruvallam-Vazhamuttom-Vellar-Kovalam-Pulinkudi-Mulloor-Mukkola, and Thiruvallam-Kumarinchantha-Kallumoodu-Chakka-All Saints-Shangumughom routes.