The usual laidback Sunday rhythm of Hyderabad gave way to a day of heightened movement, flashing beacon lights and layers of security as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the city for a series of programmes culminating in a public meeting at Parade Grounds that drew more than 75,000 people.
From early morning, over 2,600 police personnel from various wings including law and order, traffic and special teams, fanned out across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, taking positions at junctions, flyovers, Metro stations and barricaded stretches as the city prepared for one of its largest VVIP movements in recent months.
According to Malkajgiri Police Commissioner B. Sumathi, over 65,000 people were present at Parade Grounds during the PM’s public meeting in the evening, while an additional 10,000 to 15,000 remained outside the venue along the periphery and service roads near the Patny and Paradise flyovers.
Groups of supporters could be seen lining the barricades around the venue, many peering through the fencing and boundary walls to catch a glimpse of the stage. Loud cheers, slogans and music echoed across the Secunderabad from early evening as supporters gathered slowly.
Supporters at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting at Parade Grounds in Secunderabad on Sunday. | Photo Credit: RAMAKRISHNA G.
The Prime Minister’s itinerary included the launch of Sindhu Hospital in Hitec City, inauguration of infrastructure projects and the final public meeting at Parade Grounds, all of which concluded peacefully under heavy security cover.
Despite elaborate traffic diversions across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, police reported that movement remained largely smooth, with no major halts or disruptions either for the attendees or the regular public. “The smooth coordination between law and order and traffic police made it possible for the waiting times to be zero for all commuters,” Ms Sumathi said.
The scale of mobilisation was visible across the city’s transport network. Around 2,000 buses and over 2,000 two-wheelers entered Hyderabad for the programme, with 14 designated parking locations earmarked to manage the inflow.
On the Rail Nilayam stretch, buses carrying supporters were seen being directed towards designated parking zones even as regular traffic moved steadily towards Sangeet junction.
Public transport hubs also witnessed unusually heavy rush through the evening. Parade Grounds Metro station, in particular, saw a large number of supporters arriving in waves, with platforms and entry points packed as people moved towards the meeting venue.