Kochi: The police have brought Kochi under a multi-tier security net in view of prime minister Narendra Modi's visit on Saturday to inaugurate the Kochi Metro.
An 'advance' team of the special protection group (SPG) had visited the venue and prospective places of visit. All metro lines, stations, allied facilities and the inaugural venue had been brought under 24-hour surveillance.
But a multi-tier security also means that your movements through the city would be restricted. Police instructions to follow and the roads to avoid as PM Modi arrives in the city:
Do's and dont's
» Those who attend the inaugural function should not carry cell phones or other electronic items.
» Remote keys of vehicles will not be allowed.
» Bags and water bottles are disallowed.
» Invitees should be seated on the inaugural stage an hour before the function begins and should keep with them the invitation card as well as identity card.
»They will not be allowed to leave the auditorium when the function is in progress.
Traffic regulations
» Traffic movement is restricted on Saturday at Naval Base, Thevara, Pallimukku, Jos Junction, BTH Junction, Subash Park Road, Menaka, High Court Junction, Kacheripadi, Kaloor and Palarivattom.
» Parking has been banned on roads in these areas right from Saturday morning
» Wayside trading will not be allowed in these areas. Products kept for sale should be removed from there. Pedestrians are not allowed to walk on these roads during the day. They have to stay inside barricades.
» The public is requested to avoid this route as much as possible. Emergency traffic is allowed in pocket roads.
Security beefed up
Quick-response teams had been posted at vantage positions to strike at call. At least 160 commandos would take positions.
Plainclothesmen and shadow police units were on the stakeout to 'identify and insulate' trouble elements, sources said. Patrolling had been intensified and pickets stepped up.
These apart, unmarked police vehicles would roam the city for general surveillance. The naval police and the Indian Coast Guard were also in the loop, sources said.
The bomb disposal and anti-sabotage teams had been conducting checks across the city. Police teams had sanitized high-rises and abandoned buildings.
State police chief T.P. Senkumar; additional director-general of police (ADGP) P. Sandhya, inspector-general of police, Ernakulam range, P. Vijayan; and city police commissioner M.P. Dinesh are overseeing the arrangements.
Eighteen superintendents of police (SPs); 40 deputy superintendents of police (DySPs); 50 circle inspectors; 350 sub-inspectors; 1,500 civil police officers; and 109 women civil police officers; 360 women trainee cadets; and 185 trainee sub-inspector cadets would be on security duty.