Tight security for President’s visit in Kollam

Kollam, Monday, August 29, 2011: Elaborate security arrangements involving Central and State agencies have been put in place for the three-day visit of President Pratibha Patil today. The President is arriving to witness the maiden President’s Trophy Boat Race on Ashtamudi Lake.

Police officials said security would be tight in the city and surrounding areas during the President’s visit. There would be frequent security drills. President would reach Thiruvananthapuram Airport by 4.40 pm and would depart to Kollam at around 4.50 pm.

The road by which the President will travel from the helipad to the hotel she stays was inspected by the security agencies. From the helipad, the President’s convoy will take the Chinnakada road and reach the hotel through the High School junction- Kadavur road. Barricades will be erected on either side of the road through which the President travels.

As part of the arrangements, security drills were undertaken in the city, at the hotel and at the venue of the boat race. The location of the pavilion to be constructed for the President to witness the boat race was also inspected.

The official programmes of the President in Kerala includes Centenary celebrations of Kottayam Arch Diocese at Kottayam, Presidents Trophy Boat race inauguration at Ashtamudi Lake, Kollam and inauguration of IGNOU south zone campus at Trivandrum.