Prez to depart for Chennai from Delhi again post technical snag in IAF plane

President Pranab Mukherjee will depart for Chennai from Delhi again after the technical snag in the Indian Air Force (IAF) plane carrying him has been take care of.

Another flight has been arranged and President Mukherjee will be flying to Chennai in a short while.

The President is going to Chennai to pay his last respects to late Tamil Nadu chief minister J. Jayalalithaa, who died last night following a cardiac arrest.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Chennai to pay his tributes to Jayalalithaa.

Preparations are currently underway at MGR Memorial at Chennai's Marina beach for her last rites ceremony.

The Government of India has as a mark of respect to Jayalalithaa announced that the national flag will fly half-mast in the capitals of all states and UTs.

The government has also decided to accord state funeral to the departed leader which will take place at 4.30 p.m. in Chennai.

The 68-year old AIADMK supremo breathed her last at 11:30 p.m. at the Apollo Hospital in Chennai.

Jayalalithaa, who had suffered a massive cardiac arrest on Sunday evening, was admitted to the hospital on September 22 following complaints of fever and dehydration.