Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Chennai on Thursday to inaugurate DefExpo 2018 in Thiruvidanthai and a diamond jubilee building of the Cancer Institute in Adyar.
Here are the updates:
Ready to take steps to equip armed forces: Modi
Inaugurating the DefExpo 2018, Mr. Modi said:
"It is wonderful to see that over 500 Indian companies and over 150 foreign companies are here. More than 40 countries have sent their official delegations as well.
"Our commitment to peace is just as strong as our commitment to protecting our people and our territory. For this we are ready to take all necessary measures to equip our armed forces, including through the establishment of a strategically independent defence industrial complex.
"In May 2014, the total number of defence export permission granted stood at 118, for a total value of $577 million. In less than four years, we have issued 794 more export permissions, for a total value of over $1.3 billion.
"There was a time when the critical issue of defence preparedness was hampered by policy paralysis. We have seen the damage such laziness, incompetence or perhaps some hidden motives, can cause to the nation. Not now, Not anymore, never again."
Protesters arrested
Our correspondents Vivek Narayanan and R. Sivaraman report:
Fifty DMK cadres were arrested at Madhya Kailash in Chennai for staging a black flag protest against the Prime Minister.
A few cadres of the Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi climbed an hoarding near the airport and placed black flags on it.
Tamizhaga Vazhvurimai Katchi members place black flags atop a hoarding near the Chennai airport on April 12, 2018, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived to inaugurate DefExpo 2018 and a diamond jubilee building of the Cancer Institute.
DMK protests
Our correspondent B. Kolappan reports:
Black flags were hoisted atop the houses of DMK president M. Karunanidhi in Gopalapuram, working president M.K. Stalin on Cenotaph Road, party headquarters Anna Arivalayam and houses of other leaders to express opposition to Mr. Modi on the Cauvery issue.
DMK and other parties had announced protests to condemn the Centre for its failure to constitute a Cauvery management board.
Former Chennai Mayor Ma. Subramanian said he would tie a giant black balloon atop his house. He will also release black balloons in Guindy.
Modi not to travel by road inside city
From 9:25 a.m., when he lands at the airport, till 2:30 p.m. when he leaves, the Prime Minister will not be not using the road anywhere in Chennai owing to security reasons, sources said.
Is that possible? Yes, if new routes are created.
From the airport, he reached the DefExpo venue near Mamallapuram on a helicopter.
After finishing the programme, he headed to IIT-Madras, where the authorities had made special arrangements for the landing of his helicopter on a cricket ground.
From there, he reached the Cancer Institute, located in the adjacent compound, by a car. To facilitate this, the authorities brought down a portion of a wall and created a new route. The wall will be rebuilt after the visit.
Traffic diversions
Earlier in the day, in the wake of the Prime Minister's visit, the city police had made traffic diversions from 11 a.m. till 2.30 p.m.
Vehicles coming from Chennai airport towards Adyar were not allowed to take the right turn at Little Mount junction. Instead, the vehicles took the left turn at the junction and went to Saidapet and took right at the Nandanam junction and went straight to Chamiers Road and Thiru. Vi. Ka bridge and then to Adyar.
Vehicles coming from Adyar towards the airport were not allowed to go straight at Madhya Kailash. Instead, they took a left turn at Madhya Kailash, then took a right at SRP Tools via TIDEL Park and went straight to Velachery.
From there, they were allowed to take a right to Velachery Bypass road, reach MKN bridge and take a left to reach Kathipara bridge to go to the airport.
Vehicles were not allowed to go straight via Mooppanar Bridge towards Gandhi Mandapam.
Instead, those going towards Adyar went to Chamiers Road to reach their destination.
