India: Prime ministerial visit to Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh State, Dec. 30, to prompt security and traffic curbs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, Dec. 30. Modi will inaugurate the Ayodhya International Airport (AYJ) at 11:15. He will then hold a roadshow to the newly built Ayodhya Dham Junction railway station, where he will inaugurate trains at 12:15. A public rally will follow at a ground near the airport from 13:00 to mark the completion of various development projects; tens of thousands of people may participate.

A heightened security deployment and traffic restrictions are certain at event venues and along routes used by Prime Minister Modi. Over 5, 000 military and police personnel will deploy to the city. Security checkpoints, cordons, and checks are likely. Although unlikely, minor demonstrations against central government policies are possible at event venues. Significant protest participation, disruptions, or violence are unlikely.

Officials will ban the entry of heavy vehicles into Ayodhya 01:00-16:00 Dec. 30; nonessential vehicles may also not enter Ayodhya from 06:00 Dec. 30 until events conclude; diversions will also affect access routes to Ayodya, mainly affecting National Highway (NH) 27. Traffic curbs are certain along the roadshow route spanning 15 km (9.3 miles); the route passes through NH 27, Dharam Path, Lata Mangeshkar Chowk, Ram Path, Tedhi Bazaar, Mohbra Bazaar intersection, before reaching the railway station. Authorities will likely reroute or curtail public transport serving the impacted areas. Commercial disruptions are possible due to the closure of local businesses and/or employees' difficulties to reach workplaces.

Ayodhya is approximately 118 km (73 miles) west of Gorakhpur.