Security beefed up in Varanasi to welcome Narendra Modi

Varanasi is gearing up to receive NDA prime minister-designate Narendra Modi on Saturday evening, and in anticpation of his arrival here in a short while from now, security has been tightened in the city.

According to media reports, a special team of the Gujarat Police has been carrying out inspections of all the spots where Modi is likely to pass through.

It is expected that Modi will arrive at Varanasi's Babatpur Airport at 4.45 p.m..

He will then proceed by helicopter to the Police Lines, and thereafter, his cavalcade will leave for the Kashi Vishwanath Temple where he will offer prayers.

He will then head for the Dashashwamedh Ghat to take part in the Ganga Aarti.

This was disclosed by Sanjay Bharadwaj, the media coordinator for the BJP's Kashi Prant unit.

As of now, there are no confirmations about Modi being accompanied by other senior BJP leaders, nor is there a communication on whether he intends to address the people of Varanasi.

A large crowd is expected to be present at the venues that Modi will be visiting. A large number of security personnel have been deployed at the Dashashwamedh Ghat where the Ganga Arati attracts huge crowds on a daily basis.

There was a bomb explosion in the area in 2010 which had killed two persons and left several others injured.