Security has been tightened at Chennai Airport and along key city routes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s one-day visit to Chennai on October 11, with additional surveillance and access restrictions planned at the airport, official programme venues and locations along his travel route.
A team of Special Protection Group personnel from Delhi, led by ADGP Amit Kumar, has arrived in Chennai to oversee the arrangements, according to a report by DT Next. A consultative meeting was held at the old airport terminal on Thursday evening, with senior officials from Chennai Airport, the Central Industrial Security Force, Chennai City Police, government protocol departments and central and state intelligence agencies.
The meeting covered the Prime Minister’s arrival, movements across the city and departure. Modi is scheduled to arrive at the old Chennai Airport terminal from Delhi at 11.10 am on Sunday and leave for Delhi at 4 pm, according to the report. His five-hour schedule includes travel to Porur for the inauguration of the Porur Metro Rail project, followed by programmes at IIT Madras in Guindy and the Chennai Trade Centre in Nandambakkam.
The movement plan has been changed from an earlier proposal that involved helicopter travel from Chennai Airport to Porur. The Prime Minister is now expected to travel by road for the entire visit. The report said roadshows were also being considered at certain points along the routes, prompting the SPG to seek additional security arrangements.
Security at the old airport terminal has been placed under the control of SPG personnel from Delhi for three days, from Friday until Sunday night. The flying of drones and inflatable balloons has been prohibited in the vicinity of Chennai Airport during this period.
Permanent employees of courier and cargo companies operating within the old airport complex have been instructed to display their photo identity cards while on duty. Temporary staff have been barred from reporting to work at those establishments and in airport runway maintenance areas during the three-day security period.
Surveillance has also been intensified inside the airport and in surrounding areas. Authorities have ordered checks at nearby hotels and lodges to identify suspicious persons staying in the vicinity. In addition to the airport’s standard three-tier security protocol, officials have introduced further checks and monitoring in view of the visit.
The enhanced security measures are scheduled to remain in force until Sunday night, airport officials said. The restrictions and road movements may affect access around the old airport terminal, nearby facilities and the routes connecting the airport with Porur, Guindy and Nandambakkam during the Prime Minister’s programme.
