A ceremonial dinner on the Sabarmati riverfront and a post-dinner walk along its renovated promenade is set to be the centrepiece of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Gujarat on September 17.
Elaborate arrangements are being made to create a picturesque setting on the riverfront, a pet project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for his evening interaction with Mr. Xi.
On September 17, Mr. Modi will receive Mr. Xi at the Ahmedabad airport in the afternoon and head for Hotel Hyatt. After an official function at the hotel, the state guest will visit the Gandhi Ashram, accompanied by the Prime Minister. The entourage will then move to the riverfront for a cultural programme, which will last for over two hours.
Three marquees are being put up at the riverside, where the two leaders will have an early dinner, and then walk on the promenade. The entire stretch will be lit up and fountains will be installed. The city corporation is also planning to install a big fountain in the river. The gardens and lawns along the river are also being spruced up. The level of the Sabarmati, which receives water from the Narmada, will be maintained.
“All the efforts are being made to project the city,” Ahmedabad’s deputy municipal commissioner M. Thennaresan told The Hindu .
The nearby Gandhi Ashram will also be lit up and work is under way to build a lower promenade that will give direct access to the riverfront from the Ashram.
“The entire stretch from the airport to the hotel, ashram and riverfront — about 15 km — is being renovated,” Mr. Thennaresan said.
While some reports pegged the total cost of renovation at Rs. 10 crore, Mr. Thennaresan said it would range up to Rs. 5 crore.
Stringent security arrangements, involving sanitisation of the area around the hotel and parking lots, and installation of CCTV cameras are also under way.
Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh arrived in the city on Friday and reviewed the arrangements.
