Varanasi: After reviewing crowd management and security arrangements for the proposed Indian Air Force air show-2026, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to participate on Oct 25, chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure adequate police deployment, proper security arrangements and a green corridor to deal with any emergency.As PM Modi’s participation is also expected on the last day of the proposed air show, scheduled for Oct 22, 24 and 25 here, CM Yogi on Wednesday evening first inspected Namo Ghat, where a base stand will be created, before holding a meeting with officials at the Circuit House auditorium.After reviewing the presentations given by DM Satyendra Kumar and police commissioner Mohit Agarwal on the preparations being made in and around the district, he asked officials to keep the estimated crowd in mind before finalising the crowd management and security plans.Yogi said that, along with better traffic management, a proper route diversion plan should also be ensured. Adequate parking arrangements and signage should be put in place. Along with proper barricading, sufficient life jackets should also be arranged. In case of an emergency, arrangements for a green corridor should also be ensured. Adequate mobile toilets and other facilities should also be provided at the ghats.In view of various festivals and programmes to be held in the city, the CM said adequate police personnel should be kept ready. He also asked officials to engage NCC, NSS, Scout Guide, civil defence volunteers, Yuvak Mangal Dal and other voluntary organisations in crowd regulation exercises. He directed that all necessary arrangements be ensured at government and private hospitals in case of an emergency.The CM said the deployment of police personnel, traffic police and Varanasi Municipal Corporation staff should be ensured at all parking sites. The VMC should carry out special cleaning of the ghats, as well as extensive cleanliness drives across the city. He asked officials to paint the ghats from Namo Ghat to Assi Ghat. He also directed the vice-chairperson of the Varanasi Development Authority to install spiral lights on electric poles along the route from the airport to various major roads in the city and carry out beautification work at intersections.Municipal commissioner Himanshu Nagpal mentioned that efforts were being made on a war footing to clean silt from the ghats, place 300 mobile toilets and 400 water tankers, and deploy 3,000 sanitation workers.
