Jaipur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are set to conduct a procession through the Walled City and explore renowned monuments in Jaipur.
On January 25, as per their official schedule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to partake in a roadshow within the Walled City and embark on a visit to iconic Jaipur landmarks, including Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, and Albert Hall.
As the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day celebration on January 26, Macron will precede the event with a six-hour visit to the Pink City alongside Modi on the preceding day. This visit aims not only to boost Jaipur and Rajasthan as prominent tourist destinations globally but also to spotlight the expansion of the digital economy in India.
Arriving in Jaipur at 2.30 pm, French President Macron will head to the Amber Fort, a 16th-century monument perched on the Aravalli range, offering panoramic views of Jaipur. The Amber Fort, along with five other forts, holds UNESCO World Heritage Site status as the Hill Forts of Rajasthan. During Macron’s visit, a cultural program highlighting Rajasthan’s rich folk heritage is scheduled for his enjoyment, according to officials.
Following the Amber Fort visit, Macron is expected to reach Jantar Mantar at approximately 5.30 pm, where he will be joined by Modi, arriving from his scheduled program in Bulandshahr, UP. The leaders are scheduled for a guided tour of Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory established in 1730 by Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur, which holds the distinction of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Notably, during their visit, the leaders plan to enjoy tea at a local roadside stall and complete payments through UPI transactions.
Later, around 6 pm, Modi and Macron will engage in a roadshow from Jantar Mantar to Sanganeri Gate, followed by a visit to Hawa Mahal, a structure erected in 1799 by Sawai Pratap Singh. Macron is anticipated to make a purchase at a handicraft shop near the Hawa Mahal during their visit.
Following their cultural exploration in Jaipur, the heads of state will convene at the Rambagh Palace hotel for bilateral talks. Subsequently, Prime Minister Modi will host a dinner for President Macron. The official tour program outlines their departure for Delhi at 8.50 pm.
In anticipation of this high-profile visit, intensive preparations are in progress in Jaipur. Municipal Corporation Heritage Mayor Munesh Gurjar, along with officials, conducted inspections on Wednesday to ensure meticulous arrangements. Rukmini Riar, Commissioner of the JMC Greater, conveyed that officials have been assigned specific areas to supervise preparations. Their responsibilities include overseeing cleanliness, lighting, cultural program arrangements, displaying flags along the route, and ensuring adequate provisions of water and mobile toilets.
To ensure a grand reception for the visit, significant preparations are underway in Jaipur. The main roads from the airport to the Amber Fort are undergoing thorough cleaning and adorned with flowers. The primary markets within the Walled City are receiving a fresh coat of paint, and efforts are being made to clean the roads and remove any encroachments. Notably, popular tourist attractions like Amber Fort and City Palace will be closed to visitors on January 25.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari personally inspected the preparations on Tuesday, visiting the Walled City and the Amber Fort. They provided directives to officials to ensure a seamless and glitch-free experience during the visit.
In terms of security, stringent measures are in place, with over 4,000 police personnel deployed in key areas such as the Walled City, Amber Fort, and the airport, as confirmed by Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph. To facilitate the visit, certain roads will be closed, and traffic routes will be diverted between 2 pm and 7 pm. Notably, traffic restrictions are in effect on the JLN road from the airport to the Walled City and Amber Fort. Additionally, the Walled City has been designated a no-vehicle, no-parking zone.
Prabhat Sharma, a resident of Johri Bazaar in the Walled City, expressed his concerns about the inconvenience caused by the traffic diversions. He mentioned that the closure of main roads in the Walled City and on JLN road resulted in unmanageable traffic on alternative routes, leading to chaos in the area.