New Delhi, Oct. 25 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be among the dignitaries at the grand finale of the Indian Air Force's three-day 'Wings of Ganges' air show on October 25, as Varanasi prepares for another day of aerial displays over the Ganga, heavy crowds and heightened security.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and other senior ministers are also expected to attend the concluding event at Namo Ghat, the main venue for the programme.
The district administration has completed preparations for the finale. Modi is scheduled to arrive at the Police Lines helipad at 12.45 pm before travelling by road to Namo Ghat. Traffic along his route will be stopped during his movement.
The event will also see 3,150 students from 32 schools in the district watching the air show from Namo Ghat. The students, from Classes VIII to XII, have been selected over the past 15 days. Buses have been arranged to transport them to and from the venue under the supervision of District Inspector of Schools Bholendra Singh.
The air show is scheduled to begin at 11.40 am, featuring fighter jets and helicopters performing aerobatic manoeuvres and formations over the city and the Ganga.
Entry to designated viewing areas at Namo Ghat will be restricted to people holding passes issued by the Indian Air Force. Pass holders have been asked to arrive by 9.30 am and remain within their allotted zones. Ten parking areas have been identified around Namo Ghat and nearby localities.
The first day of the three-day air show on Thursday drew spectators to several ghats along the Ganga, but the viewing experience varied considerably by location.
While visitors at Assi and Kedar ghats complained that they had waited for hours but seen only a handful of aircraft, those at Dashashwamedh Ghat reported a better view of the aerial manoeuvres.
Domari, across the Ganga, has emerged as a preferred vantage point for spectators without passes for Namo Ghat. Several aircraft have been performing manoeuvres over the area, giving visitors a closer view of the fighter jets.
Manish Mishra, a local guide said Rajghat and Bhainsasur Ghat are other recommended viewing points, while the displays can also be seen from Gay, Panchganga, Scindia, Lalita and Dashashwamedh ghats.
"At Lalita Ghat, spectators are expected to witness a commando drill in which personnel descend by rope from a helicopter onto a cruise vessel," he said.
District officials on Saturday said people planning to watch the show from Domari have been advised to cross Rajghat Bridge before 10 am, as traffic diversions will subsequently restrict
movement. An alternative route runs through Samne Ghat, Ramnagar and the Padav road.
Spectators at Namo Ghat have been advised to carry umbrellas or hats and sunglasses to cope with the strong sunlight.
The health department has put medical teams on alert for the remaining two days, anticipating large crowds at railway stations and along the ghats.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.