Hushed awe greets power convoy in CBD

BANGALORE: 6.43 pm: A white Bolero of the Bangalore city police suddenly zoomed into Anil Kumble Circle from the BRV Talkies end, before turning right and moving towards Queen’s Statue.
Fourteen police vehicles followed, then came two ambulances and a pilot vehicle.
The irritated honks of motorists died out, and pin-drop silence greeted the power convoy.
Vehicles had queued up on three of the four roads leading to Anil Kumble Circle — MG Road stretches on either side and St Mark’s Road stretch from SBM. Though the snarl had been piling up for over three minutes, most of the stranded motorists were initially under the impression that it was a regular evening traffic jam.
Only a huge contingent of policemen at the circle was a giveaway that Bangalore was playing host to PM Narendra Modi on his maiden visit.
Behind the ambulances was a bullet-proof SUV and then came the jammer or bomb detector. Moving majestically, its steel aerials popping out, the vehicle had onlookers in thrall. Close behind the jammer was the 20th vehicle of the convoy, a bullet-proof BMW carrying Modi. The BMW, belonging to the Raj Bhavan stable, was covered by the jammer in front, while bullet-proof SUVs moved to its left and came up behind. The BMW carried no number plates; instead, it bore insignia of lions on the front and back.
Then came two police jeeps -- armed men at the open windows, automatic rifles thrust out and at the ready, eyes scanning the roads and finger on the trigger.
Twenty grey Toyota Innovas made up the tail of the 43-vehicle convoy. Among these vehicles were four carrying DCPs, while the rest had BJP workers.
Prime Minister Modi had boarded his car at 6.30pm at HAL airport. The convoy swung out of the airport premises around 6.33pm, and police halted traffic on Cubbon Road, MG Road, at Trinity Junction, BVR Junction, Anil Kumble Circle, GPO junction and Raj Bhavan Road.
Modi’s car entered the Raj Bhavan gates around 6.45pm.
Over 1,000 police officials of all ranks were deployed along the 10-km stretch between HAL airport and Raj Bhavan. Walkie-talkies crackled with messages as the convoy passed each junction. Police made sure the public was kept at bay and barricaded major junctions, including Trinity Circle, Brigade Road junction, BRV Junction and Anil Kumble Circle.
Z-PLUS BLANKET
Z+ category has a security cover of 36 personnel and is provided by National Security Guards. Armed with sophisticated weapons like AK-47s and automatic guns, they cover the person round the clock. Even local police are not allowed into the cordon.