Firozpur/New Delhi | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday canceled his visit to Punjab’s Ferozepur city, where he was to lay the foundation stone of projects worth Rs 42,750 crore, following a major security lapse. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has announced from the venue that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not be able to address the rally “due to some reasons”.
Mandaviya was here to lay the foundation stone of three medical infrastructure, including the 100-bed PGI Satellite Center in Ferozepur, to be built at a cost of over Rs 490 crore.
Earlier, the Prime Minister landed at Bhasiana Air Force Station in Bathinda city, from where he was to travel to Ferozepur by road.
According to the Home Ministry statement on PM Modi’s visit to Punjab, “This morning PM reached Bathinda from where he was to visit National Martyrs Memorial at Hussainiwala. PM waited for about 20 minutes for the weather to clear due to rain and poor visibility. ”
“When the weather did not improve, it was decided that he would visit the National Martyrs Memorial by road, which would take more than 2 hours. He traveled by road after necessary confirmation of security arrangements by DGP Punjab Police ”
“About 30 km from the National Martyrs Memorial in Hussainiwala, when the PM’s convoy reached a flyover, it was found that some protesters had blocked the road. PM was stranded on the flyover for 15-20 minutes. This is PM’s security. I had a big mistake.”
“The Prime Minister’s schedule and travel plan were communicated to the Punjab government in advance. As per the procedure, they have to make necessary arrangements for logistics, security as well as keep a contingency plan ready. Also, contingency plan In view of this, the Punjab government has to deploy additional security to secure any movement by road, which was clearly not deployed.”
“After this security lapse, it was decided to go back to Bathinda airport.”
Taking cognizance of the serious security lapse, the Home Ministry has sought a detailed report from the state government.
This was Modi’s first visit to the state after the repeal of three controversial agricultural laws.
Earlier, State Finance Minister Manpreet Badal welcomed Modi at the airport in Bathinda. Chief Minister Charanjit Channi was to address the programs virtually.
Manpreet Badal tweeted, “Punjab government welcomes Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his official visit to Punjab.”
Hours before his visit, Modi tweeted, “I look forward to being among my sisters and brothers of Punjab today. Foundation stone for development works worth Rs 42,750 crore will be laid at an event in Ferozepur, which will transform lives of people.” Will improve the quality.”
Modi was to lay the foundation stone for development projects worth Rs 42,750 crore, including two mega road corridors to increase access to major religious centers and three health institutions in the city bordering Pakistan.
One of the road corridors will cut the travel time from the national capital to religious places in Punjab, Amritsar and Sultanpur Lodhi and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir’s Katra in half from 12 hours.
The prime minister was to lay the foundation stone and address a public meeting after paying tributes to freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at the memorial at Hussainiwala, about 260 km from state capital Chandigarh.
Modi last visited Hussainiwala in March 2015, where all three freedom fighters were cremated after their execution in Lahore on March 23, 1931.
