FEROZEPUR/NEW DELHI: In a major securtiy breach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday cancelled his visit to Ferozepur town in Punjab, where he was scheduled to lay the foundation stones of Rs 42,750 crore projects, at the last minute.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced from the venue that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would not be able to address the rally “due to some reasons”. Mandaviya was here for the foundation stone of three medical infratsructures, including the 100 bedded PGI Satellite Cetnre in Ferozepur to be built at a cost of more than Rs 490 crore.
Earlier, the Prime Minister landed at Bhaisiana Air Force station in Bathinda town from where he was supposed tot ravel to Ferozepur by road.
As per the Minitsry of Home Affairs’ statement on the PM Modi’s Punjab visit, “Today morning PM landed at Bathinda from where he was to go to National Matryrs Memorial at Hussainiwala by helicopter. Due to rain and poor visibiltiy, PM waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear out.
“When the weather didn’t improve, it was decided that he would visit the National Matryrs Memorial via road, which would take more than two hours. He proceeded tot ravel by road after necessary confirmation of securtiy arrangements by the DGP Punjab Police.
“Around 30 km away from the National Matryrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the PM’s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that the road was blocked by some protesters. The PM was stuck on a flyover for 15-20 minutes. This was a major lapse in the securtiy of PM.
“The PM’s schedule andt ravel plan was communicated well in advance to Punjab Government. As per procedure, they have to make necessary arrangements for logistics, securtiy as well as keep a contingency plan ready. Also in view of the contingency plan, the Punjab Government has to deploy additional securtiy to secure any movement by road, which was clearly not deployed.
“After this securtiy lapse, it was decided to head back to Bathinda airport.”
The Minitsry of Home Affairs took cognisance of the serious securtiy lapse and has sought a detailed report from the state government.
This was Modi’s first visit to the state after the repeal of three contentious farm laws.Earlier in the day, state Finance Minister Manpreet Badal welcomed Modi at the airport in Bathinda. Chief Minister Charanjit Channi was to address the programmes virtually.
“Welcoming Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi Ji, on behalf of the Punjab Government for his official visit to Punjab,” Manpreet Badal tweeted.
Just hours ahead of his visit, Modi tweeted, “I look forward to being among my sisters and brothers of Punjab today. At a programme in Ferozepur, the foundation stone of development works worth Rs 42,750 crore would be laid, which will improve the qualtiy of life for the people.”
Modi was to lay the foundation stone of development projects of Rs 42,750 crore comprising two mega road corridors to enhance accessibiltiy to prominent religious cetnres and three health institutions in this town bordering Pakistan.
One of the road corridors will halve thet ravel time from 12 hours from the national capital to religious sites in Punjab, comprising Amritsar and Sultanpur Lodhi, and to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Ktara.
After paying obeisance to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at the memorial in Hussainiwala, about 260 km from the state capital Chandigarh, the Prime Minister was to lay the stones and address a public meeting.
Modi last visited Hussainiwala in March 2015, where the last rites of the three freedom fighters were held after they were hanged in Lahore on March 23, 1931.