Ahmedabad is going into preparations feverishly as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reach a huge gathering of people in the Nikol locality on August 25. It is to be a rally that is estimated to attract up to nearly one lakh people, and it is being planned by Kisan Morcha at Khodaldham Ground, where workers and officials have been struggling to put the finishing touches in the past few days.
It is considered among the biggest political events of the year in Gujarat, and grand preparations are being made to give it a smooth ride. Facilities like large-scale seating arrangements, security arrangements, medical camps and traffic diversions are being prepared to meet a huge crowd. The local police and party workers have also been deployed to manage or monitor the logistics with particular emphasis on crowd control and safety rules.
The most visible aspect of the preparations is the building of a mammoth, German-built, waterproof dome in the venue. As the city is due to receive rain just around the time of the rally, it is not up to its organizers to cause a hitch since it is not going to be a possibility that can be spread. The planning of the dome is to enclose a reasonable part of the ground, thus assuring the Prime Minister, dignitaries and audience of avoiding the worst whenever a sudden downpour comes up. Authorities indicate that this game-changing order will enable the game to go on without being interrupted due to adverse weather.
Heightening in security is also taking place, and it is likely that huge masses of police and paramilitary forces are going to come out. Several entrances and exits will be established in order to regulate crowds, and drone surveillance and CCTV monitoring will be employed to observe the crowd. The volunteers are being trained on issues related to emergencies, seating and announcing to the crowd during the rally.
The event, which is going to take place, is not merely important in terms of its magnitude, but also about the timing aspect. According to political analysts, the rally will be a turning point in which the Prime Minister will reach out to the people before they face the upcoming electoral battles. Party workers and residents are said to demonstrate very high enthusiasm, and many are going to move into other nearby districts to participate in the gathering.
With the date 25 August approaching, an atmosphere of expectancy is being seen in Ahmedabad. As organizers, the factors that still have to be considered are the possibility of dealing with the crowd safely, neutralizing the weather issue, and making sure that such an event will be remembered. The rally is likely to be the buzz of the political season, with masses expected to show up and special setups such as the rain-proof dome.
