Hyderabad: New entry planned for VVIPs to Osmania University function

Hyderabad: President Pranab Mukherjee, Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, in all likelihood, will enter A Grounds, the venue for OU centenary inaugural programme, on April 26 from the Habsiguda-Tarnaka main road instead of the two customary entrances to the campus — the NCC Gate and the OU Police Station ends.

Security officials are planning an alternative route to overcome traffic bottlenecks for the convoys of the three dignitaries across the campus roads and to avoid any backlash from student unions affiliated to the opposition parties. Although the varsity administration tried to reach out, some student unions have said that they will try to raise voices in a democratic manner, about the sad state of affairs in the cash-starved varsity.

Higher officials favour the entry from the Habsiguda-Tarnaka main road. The three dignitaries will enter the venue from the main road, attend the programme that will last nearly an hour (from 12.30 to 1.30 pm), and then depart from the same route.This means that the President will not be able to see the iconic Arts College and other buildings that one gets to see while going along the varsity main road.

There is a boundary wall between the venue and the Habsiguda-Tarnaka stretch. Authorities may remove a portion of this for easy movement of the convoys. The route is considered convenient since police forces can be easily deployed for security on the Habsiguda-Tarnaka stretch restricting movement of others.