Close to 5000 additional security personnel have been deployed in view of Prime Minister Modi's visit to Isha, Coimbatore for the consecration of 112 feet fall Lord Shiva idol. As Isha is located close to Velliangiri hills, a five-tier security has been deployed in the city, especially along the hills as a precautionary measure against infiltration of naxalites.
PM Modi is scheduled to land in the Sulur Air base at around 5:30 PM and leave to Isha through a special helicopter which will land in the temporary helipad set at Isha Foundation. Isha Yoga Foundation is all set to receive PM Modi and another senior politicians, Ministers of BJP to take part in their Mahasivarathri event.
Traffic Diversion
The VIPs from the airport via Avinashi road will reach Isha through Selvapuram-Perur bypass road through the Sungam by pass road.
*Hence all road users should take alternate routes and avoid Avinashi Road, Sungam bypass, Selvapuram, Perur bypass to avoid traffic congestion from 8 am to 8 pm.
*No two-wheelers or four-wheelers should be parked on road sides from Shivalaya Theater at Selvapuram to Telungupalayam Pririvu.
*No heavy vehicles is permitted to use the above road from morning 8 am to 8 pm instead the vehicles should use the L&T bypass road.
Violations alleged on Isha
To the contrary, condemnation against PM's visit is gaining momentum as several political outfits, trade bodies, environmental protection NGOs have been urging PM to revoke his intent to attend Isha, due to the innumerable allegations against Isha.
The social media is also abuzz with allegations highlighting the forest lands and bio-diversity ruined due to Isha's illegal construction along with pleas to PM Modi to cancel his visit to Isha.
Land encroachments, illegal construction of buildings close to 13 lakh sq feet, conversion of wet lands into buildings, destruction of greenery and reserve forests and altering the bio-diversity of the area, diverting the elephant corridors are some of the major accusations against Isha.
'It is notable that many of these allegations have a strong proof of record, as notices indicating 'stop work', 'Lock, seal and demolition' were issued against Isha way back in December 2012. However, no action was initiated. District Forest Officer, Country town planning department, has also affirmed to the High Court that forest lands have been transformed into illegal construction', said Retired Madras high court judge D. Hariparanthaman in a press meet, on Wednesday.
He also hinted that PM's visit to Isha might hinder the action plans of the concerned officials. A public interest litigation has been filed at the National Green Tribunal by the Velliangiri Hill Tribal Protection Society seeking to demolish the unauthorized construction.
However, organisations including CPM, TPDK, Samuga Needhi Party among others are against PM's visit to Isha, who have also announced that they would go in for protests and hold black flags today, to condemn PM's visit. Hence, the five-tier security has been put on alert to prevent unforeseen events.