Puttaparthi comes under security blanket ahead of Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s birth centenary celebrations

The official machinery has put in place elaborate security for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Puttaparthi on November 19 in connection with the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan will be arriving here on November 22 and 23 respectively.

Speaking to the media here on Thursday, Superintendent of Police S. Satish Kumar said a three-tier security system had been deployed across the spiritual town. Matrix surveillance cameras, high-definition drones, bomb squads, and special police units would be in place 24×7, followed by continuous checks and round-the-clock patrols, night surveillance, and random vehicle inspections on the NH and at key entry points.

He said thorough inspections were being conducted from time to time at critical locations, including the airport, helipads, Sai Kulwant Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam, and Hill View Stadium, where major events were scheduled.

Additional checkpoints and safe houses had been set up to ensure foolproof protection during the VIP visits.

Meanwhile, District Collector A. Shyam Prasad and Mr. Satish Kumar launched an Integrated Command and Control Room at the Ganesh Circle to coordinate real-time surveillance and response. The centre, equipped with 176 CCTV cameras and eight drones, would function 24×7 with around 100 personnel working in three shifts.