Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to reach Birsa Munda Airport around 5pm on Tuesday for his evening roadshow, which means Ranchi residents with an evening flight to catch may face problems in reaching the airport if they don’t make an early start.
Modi is expected to launch a roadshow on a 2.5km stretch from the airport to Birsa Chowk from 5.30pm to 7.30pm before going to Raj Bhavan via Harmu Road to retire for the night.
To minimise the problems of fliers, Ranchi SP traffic Ajit Peter Dungdung on Monday evening issued a proposal to the airport director, suggesting all airlines concerned text their respective passengers to reach the airport early, before 5.30pm, so that their security check could be done for their respective flights on time.
He also suggested four alternative routes to reach the airport. First, via Singh More-Latma Road and Hethu; second via Hethu-Tumbagutu, Karamtoli-Kumhahutu, Kutiatu Chowk, Ring Road and Kharsidag, third via Hethu-Tumbagutu, Barka Toli and Chandaghasi; and fourth via Army Camp, Pokhar Toli, Neem Chowk, Jharkhand High Court and Doranda.
Preparations for Modi’s arrival were on in full swing when The Telegraph team reached the airport on Monday afternoon.
Around 200 workers were busy sealing the road connecting Hinoo Chowk with the airport with iron and wooden barricades under orders of the Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel.
The Telegraph
BJP workers on campaign vehicles were inviting masses to be a part of the road show.
Asked for details of evening flights, an official of Birsa Munda Airport gave the details.
“There are six flights on Tuesday evening. An IndiGo carrier leaves at 6pm for Delhi via Patna. Another flight of GoAir is at 6.40pm for Mumbai. Other flights include Air India at 7.45pm for Calcutta, IndiGo at 7.50pm for Bangalore, GoAir at 8pm for New Delhi, Vistara at 8.30pm for New Delhi and IndiGo at 8.40pm for New Delhi,” he said.
He said the reporting time of each flight was at least an hour before their scheduled departure.
“I think fliers will face a major problem in reaching the airport if they don’t reach here before 5pm. It’s best to make an early start,” the airport official said, requesting anonymity. BJP state general secretary Deepak Prakash, however, said they would not let any flier or any commuter suffer owing to the roadshow.
“The convenience of air passengers has been kept in mind,” he said. “We don’t want people to face hassles. Ranchi district administration has allowed us to use half the width of the four-lane road for the PM’s roadshow. It means in practical terms that two lanes of one side will be used for the roadshow, but two other lanes will remain open for vehicular movement. But all the four lanes will be sealed for a limited period in a particular area only,” Prakash said.
