Madikeri: The district administration is gearing to welcome President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam when he arrives here on Friday to attend the birth centenary celebrations of the late General K.S. Thimayya.

Deputy commissioner Subodh Yadav told presspersons here that over 15,000 people are likely to attend the celebrations at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College grounds here and more than 5,000 vehicles are expected to be there.

Governor T.N. Chaturvedi, Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa will attend the function.

The VIP routes will be closed for public from 12.30 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday.

The route is Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College Road, ITI junction, the road in front of Sports Authority of India, Race Course Road, Raja Seat Road, City Municipal Council Circle, General Thimayya Circle, Sudarshan Circle and Sudarshan Guest House.

Mr. Yadav said only 100 VVIP and VIP vehicles and those with passes will be allowed near the main venue.

The VIP gate would be closed by 11 a.m. on that day.

Mr. Yadav appealed to the public to occupy seats at the earliest. No one should carry arms or ammunition or lighters to the venue. Every individual attending the function would be frisked, Mr. Yadav said.

Superintendent of Police Devajyoti Ray said over 800 police officers and personnel would be deployed on duty for the President's visit.

They included an Additional Superintendent of Police, six deputy superintendents of police, 23 inspectors, 92 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors, 537 head constables and constables, two platoons of KSRP, and five platoons of DAR.

Five helipads had been prepared at the Golf Course grounds here to facilitate landing of the President's chopper. Besides, three more helipads were being kept ready at Kushalnagar.

Mr. Yadav said the President would arrive at 12.35 p.m. and reach the venue of function at 12.45 p.m. where he would be accorded a traditional welcome. National anthem would be played at 12.48 p.m. and Federation of Kodava Samajas president B.A. Nanaiah would the welcome gathering. "Bolakkat" dance by men and "Ummathat" dance by women would be presented before the dignitaries.

At 1 p.m. Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa would release a special cover. Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy would deliver address at 1.02 p.m.

Governor T.N. Chaturvedi would release a souvenir at 1.10 p.m., Mr. Yadav said. It would be followed by the President's speech for 25 minutes.

Dr. Kalam would interact with the children at 1.35 p.m. and the national anthem would be played at 1.59 p.m.

The President would leave for Bangalore at 2.40 p.m.

Parking arrangements are being made at one corner of the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa College grounds, ITI grounds, Sports Authority of India grounds and behind the Agriculture Research Station.

Kodagu Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K. Sundar Naik was present.

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