Chennai , August 18
Security has been strengthened at Chennai airport and along East Coast Road ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s two-day visit beginning Wednesday.
Shah will chair a conference of the Chief Ministers of the five southern States and Puducherry at a private luxury hotel in Kovalam, Chengalpattu district, on Thursday.
The meeting will be attended by the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Puducherry. Senior officials from the participating States and the Union Territory are also expected to join the deliberations.
The conference is likely to focus on issues affecting the southern region and matters requiring greater coordination between the Centre and State governments. Shah will preside over the proceedings and address the gathering.
According to the official itinerary, the Home Minister will leave New Delhi aboard a special aircraft and arrive at Chennai’s old airport at 7.40 pm on Wednesday. He will be received by senior government and security officials before travelling by road to Kovalam, where he will stay overnight.
Security agencies have drawn up extensive arrangements for Shah’s convoy movement between the airport and Kovalam. Additional personnel will be deployed along East Coast Road and other stretches on the route, while surveillance and vehicle inspections will be intensified.
Airport authorities received formal communication about the visit from New Delhi on Tuesday morning. A security review meeting was subsequently held at the old airport.
Officials from the airport, Chennai police, airport security agencies, VIP security units and the Intelligence Bureau reviewed access control, convoy movement and deployment plans.
After completing Thursday’s engagements, Shah will leave Kovalam at around 2.30 pm and is expected to reach the old airport by 3.30 pm. His special flight to New Delhi is scheduled to depart at 3.45 pm. The old airport complex will remain under enhanced security cover throughout the visit.
