PM Modi in Bengaluru: Elaborate security arrangements made; few trains cancelled, diverted

Bengaluru: Elaborate security arrangements are in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bengaluru on Sunday. The PM will be in the city for the inauguration of Namma Metro's Yellow Line.

Senior officers told DH that adequate civil, city armed reserve (CAR), and Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) have been deployed. “District Special Weapons and Tactics (D-SWAT) teams, anti-sabotage teams and bomb detection and disposal (BDDS) squads have also been roped in to ensure no untoward incident takes place during the PM's visit. Adequate traffic preparations have also been made,” Bengaluru city police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh told DH.

The police are using the Command and Control Centre to monitor VVIP movements. They have also made proper arrangements for VVIP motorcades. “Hotels, lodges and paying guests are being monitored and checked to ensure no suspicious person has entered the city. Special barricades have also been set up to ensure no security lapses take place when the public watches the PM,” another senior officer said.

Trains cancelled

Since the PM will flag off three Vande Bharat Express trains, citing heavy congestion at the KSR Bengaluru area, the South Western Railway (SWR) has fully cancelled trains 66551 KSR Bengaluru–Ashokapuram; 66552 Ashokapuram–KSR Bengaluru; 66567 KSR Bengaluru–Tumakuru; 66572 Tumakuru–KSR Bengaluru; 06581 KSR Bengaluru–Channapatna, and 06582 Channapatna–KSR Bengaluru.

“Diversion of trains on August 10: train 17326 Mysuru–Belagavi Vishwamanav Express will be diverted to run via Krishnarajanagar, Hassan and Arsikere, skipping all scheduled stoppages from Pandavapura to Tiptur. Train no: 12090 Shivamogga Town–KSR Bengaluru; 66554 Ashokapuram–KSR Bengaluru, and 20607 Dr MGR Chennai Central–Mysuru Vande Bharat Express will be rescheduled to start late by 90, 150, and 90 minutes respectively from Shivamogga Town, Ashokapuram and Dr. MGR Chennai Central,” the SWR said in a statement.

“To ease congestion at KSR Bengaluru Railway Station on 10 August, the second Entry (Back Gate) to the station, connecting to Platforms 7 to 10, will remain temporarily closed from 4 pm on 9 August to 2 pm on 10 August. Passengers are requested to use the main entry (front side) of the station to access all platforms during this period,” it added.

A spokesperson told DH: “We have provided the buggy service for those coming from the platform 1 side. Frequent announcements are being made, and additional railway staff will be guiding on how to reach. Additional porters are also deployed. The buggy service is being provided free for the passengers for a temporary period till 2 pm on Sunday.”

The SWR has also partially cancelled Train no: 66512 Marikuppam–KSR Bengaluru; 66511 KSR Bengaluru–Marikuppam; 66529 Kuppam–KSR Bengaluru; 66530 KSR Bengaluru–Kuppam; 16215 Mysuru–KSR Bengaluru Chamundi Express; 20660 KSR Bengaluru–Mysuru Rajya Rani Express; 66541 Whitefield–KSR Bengaluru; 66581 KSR Bengaluru–Bangarapet; 66524 Hindupur–KSR Bengaluru; 16520 KSR Bengaluru–Jolarpettai and 56224 Arsikere–KSR Bengaluru.