Trump visit: "Mini India" roadshow may trimmed by 9 km in case Trump skips Sabarmati Ashram

The mega roadshow, spread across 22 kms to showcase "mini India" and "mini Gujarat" to Donald Trump on February 24, is likely to be reduced by 9 kms if the US President skips his proposed visit to Sabarmati Ashram founded by Mahatma Gandhi. As per the original plan, the roadshow will start from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, where Prime Minister Modi is likely to receive Trump and other delegates, then head to Ashram and from there it will arrive at Motera cricket stadium.

Sources in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), which is organising the roadshow, said, "Although there is no final word on his visit to the Ashram, we think that at least 9 km stretch will be reduced in case he opts out." The officials said that all the preparations have already been completed along the stretch.

"Roads have been barricaded, 28 stages have been erected along the road where tableau of all the states of the country will be showcasing their cultural heritage in their colourful traditional attires with songs and dance. We are bringing mini India the road that will show our diverse and colourful heritage. Artists and performers all the states are participating in it," said an AMC officer.

The AMC officials are claiming that the roadshow is going to be "biggest and most colourful" ever held in the country. There are at least 300 special performers from all the states. The officials have been claiming that at least 50,000 to one lakh people will be lined up inside the barricades from where Trump's entourage will pass. It was during this preparation that the AMC, as being reported, constructed a 4-feet wall to cover a slum. AMC has denied to have built the wall for hiding the slum.

Officials said that the roadshow show will be broadcast live on 50 cameras by state-owned television channel Doordarshan. They said that for this purpose special control rooms and cyber cables are being laid in 32-km area.

Namaste Trump

After the roadshow, Trump, his wife Melania and other delegates, said to be nearly 500, will arrive at Cricket Stadium at Motera for "Namaste Trump" event has been organised. Trump and Modi will be addressing the crowd here. The whole event is likely to last for 1.5 hours.

The stadium that has a seating capacity of 1.10 lakh people is likely to be packed. Here, Trump will be watching "mini Gujarat" which people from different districts will be seating in their traditional attires. "It will be a mega cultural extravaganza that will include singers from Bollywood like Kailash Kher and top Gujarati fork artists," said an officer. Many officers are claiming that "Namaste Trump" is along the lines of the Howdy, Modi! event which was held in Houston in the United States.

To bring people from different districts, online registration were conducted and only those who have colour-coded passes will be allowed to enter. They will be guided to their respective seats by their representatives who have been trained by the security officials to avoid any kind of disorder. They will be ferried in 2500 buses and would pass through multi-layer security system. The AMC has constructed 25-bed temporary hospital at near the stadium.

According to officers, 5 lakh biodegradable cups have been ordered for drinking water, one lakh food packets among other facilities.