Security has been intensified at Chennai Airport and along routes across the city ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit on Sunday, October 11, with additional surveillance, access restrictions and checks planned until Sunday night, according to DT Next.
A team of Special Protection Group personnel from Delhi, led by ADGP Amit Kumar, has arrived in Chennai to oversee arrangements for the visit, the report said. A consultative meeting was held at the old airport terminal on Thursday evening, bringing together senior officials from Chennai Airport, the Central Industrial Security Force, Chennai City Police, agencies responsible for dignitary protection, state and central protocol departments and intelligence agencies.
The meeting covered the Prime Minister’s arrival, movements across the city and departure. The reported schedule involves a special flight from Delhi arriving at the old Chennai Airport terminal at 11.10 am, followed by road travel to Porur, Guindy and Nandambakkam before departure for Delhi at 4 pm.
According to the report, the visit is expected to include an inauguration programme related to the Porur Metro Rail project, government programmes at IIT Madras in Guindy and other events at the Chennai Trade Centre in Nandambakkam. The report also said that the Chief Minister is expected to participate in the programmes.
The travel plan has been changed from an earlier proposal involving a helicopter journey from Chennai Airport to Porur. All movements during the reported five-hour visit are now expected to take place by road. Security agencies have sought additional arrangements because roadshows are also being considered at certain locations along the routes.
At the old airport, SPG personnel from Delhi will control security for three days, from Friday through 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 inside the old airport complex have been instructed to wear photo identity cards around their necks while on duty. Temporary staff have been barred from reporting to these establishments and to 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. The measures will operate alongside the airport’s standard three-tier security protocol, with additional checks introduced because of the Prime Minister’s visit.
The temporary restrictions have implications for airport-linked workers, cargo and courier operations, runway maintenance access and road users along the reported travel routes. Airport officials said the enhanced security arrangements would remain in force until Sunday night.
