PM Modi offers prayers at Jagannath Temple in Puri; inaugurates IOCL’s refinery project

Puri : Odisha’s Jagannath temple on Sunday witnessed the arrival of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who paid obeisance to Lord Jagannath temple at Puri at 11 AM.

“Offered prayers at the Jagannath Temple in Puri during my Odisha visit on the 7th,” Modi tweeted.

For the PM’s visit, the Sri Jagannath Temple Administration has decided to keep the temple doors closed for one hour.

The Archaeological Survey of India, which is repairing the temple complex, will suspend the work to facilitate entry of Modi into the sanctum sanctorum.

Later, the Prime Minister will leave for Paradip to inaugurate IOCL’s refinery project at around 1 PM and will address a public meeting there.

“In Odisha, I will dedicate the National Institute of Science Education and Research and Indian Oil Refinery, Paradip to the nation,” Modi said in his tweet.

DGP K B Singh reviewed security arrangements at Paradip, while other senior officers are camping at Puri and NISER to ensure full security of the Prime Minister.

“All arrangements are made as per the rule book,” Singh said, adding about one lakh people are expected at Paradip.

The Special Protection Group (SPG) also reviewed the security arrangements at Paradip, Puri and NISER ahead of Modi’s visit.

Prime Minister Narendra Moditoday dedicated to the nation Indian Oil Corp’s Rs 34,555crore refinery here, that has helped the state-owned firmovertake Reliance Industries to again become country’s toprefiner.

The 15 million tons per annum Paradip refinery was builtover nearly 16 years. The then Prime Minister Atal BihariVajpayee had on May 24, 2000 laid foundation stone of theninth plant of IOC.

PTI