Andhra Pradesh Tightens Security for President Droupadi Murmu’s Vijayawada Visit on October 14-15
Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad has directed officials to ensure foolproof security and strict protocol for President Droupadi Murmu’s October 14-15 Vijayawada visit, including Kanaka Durga temple prayers and the National SARAS Mela 2026.
The Andhra Pradesh government has stepped up preparations for President Droupadi Murmu’s two-day visit to Vijayawada on October 14 and 15, 2026. Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad, a 1991-batch IAS officer of the Andhra Pradesh cadre, has directed officials to ensure foolproof security, effective coordination among departments and strict compliance with the prescribed protocol throughout the presidential visit.
Sai Prasad reviewed the preparations during a virtual coordination meeting with senior officials on Monday. He instructed the departments concerned to follow the guidelines issued by the President’s Secretariat and ensure that all scheduled engagements are conducted smoothly, without delays or administrative lapses.
The President’s itinerary includes prayers at the Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri hill during the ongoing Sharad Navaratri festivities. On October 15, she is scheduled to attend the inauguration of the National SARAS Mela 2026 at Punnami Ghat, where women entrepreneurs associated with rural self-help groups from across the country will showcase their products.
The state government is coordinating arrangements across departments to ensure that security, protocol and logistical requirements are met for the President’s engagements.
President Droupadi Murmu’s Vijayawada Visit: Key Schedule
According to the draft itinerary presented during the officials’ review meeting, President Murmu’s engagements are scheduled across October 14 and 15. The programme includes her arrival in Andhra Pradesh, a visit to the Kanaka Durga temple, participation in the National SARAS Mela and an interaction with women associated with self-help groups.
The timings form part of the draft itinerary discussed during the coordination meeting. Officials have been directed to ensure that the programme is implemented in accordance with the prescribed protocol and that the arrangements for each engagement are completed in advance.
Kanaka Durga Temple Visit During Sharad Navaratri
One of the key engagements on October 14 is President Murmu’s scheduled visit to the Kanaka Durga temple on Indrakeeladri hill in Vijayawada. The visit coincides with the ongoing Sharad Navaratri festivities, a period during which devotees visit temples to offer prayers and participate in religious observances.
The temple visit is scheduled for 7:20 pm to 7:40 pm, following the President’s arrival at Gannavaram Airport. The state administration is required to coordinate the arrangements for the visit in line with the President’s Secretariat’s protocol guidelines.
The Chief Secretary has stressed the importance of comprehensive preparation and coordination among the departments involved. The objective is to ensure that the President’s scheduled religious engagement proceeds smoothly and without administrative delays.
National SARAS Mela 2026 to Highlight Women-Led Rural Enterprises
President Murmu’s participation in the National SARAS Mela is a major component of her Vijayawada visit. The event, scheduled to run from October 13 to 31 at Punnami Ghat, is being organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government.
According to the information provided, the 2026 edition marks the event’s first appearance in Vijayawada outside the Delhi-NCR region. More than 1,500 women entrepreneurs associated with self-help groups from over 30 states and Union Territories are expected to participate.
The mela will provide a platform for rural women entrepreneurs to display and sell a variety of products, including traditional crafts, handloom items and regional goods. The event aims to help self-help group enterprises reach wider markets and strengthen livelihood opportunities for women in rural communities.
By bringing together participants from across the country, the event is expected to showcase the diversity of locally produced goods and the entrepreneurial activities of women associated with self-help groups.
President to Interact With Self-Help Group Members and Lakhpati Didis
As part of the October 15 programme, President Murmu is scheduled to interact with self-help group members and Lakhpati Didis during a luncheon at Punnami Ghat. The engagement is scheduled from 1:10 pm to 2:10 pm, following the inaugural programme of the National SARAS Mela.
The interaction will bring the President together with women involved in rural enterprise and self-help group activities. These groups play a role in supporting livelihoods through collective economic activity and the production and marketing of goods.
The scheduled programme forms part of the broader focus of the mela on showcasing women-led enterprises and connecting rural producers with wider markets. Officials are expected to coordinate the arrangements for the interaction in accordance with the approved itinerary.
Senior Officials Review Security and Departmental Preparedness
The virtual coordination meeting brought together senior officials responsible for different aspects of the President’s visit. Those attending included Additional Director General of Police Madhusudan Reddy, Principal Secretary for Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Kanthilal Dande, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) Chief Executive Officer Karuna, NTR District Collector G Lakshmisha and Information and Public Relations Director K S Viswanadhan.
V K Seena Naik, Executive Officer of the Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, also participated in the meeting, along with other officials involved in the preparations.
The review focused on ensuring coordination among the departments responsible for security, protocol, logistics and the President’s scheduled engagements. Chief Secretary G Sai Prasad directed officials to follow the instructions issued by the President’s Secretariat and complete the necessary preparations in advance.
The participation of senior police, district administration, rural development and temple officials reflects the range of departments involved in coordinating the visit. Each department has been asked to ensure that the arrangements within its responsibility are completed in accordance with the prescribed requirements.
Andhra Pradesh Government Focuses on Smooth Conduct of Presidential Visit
President Murmu’s two-day visit combines a religious engagement at the Kanaka Durga temple with participation in a national event focused on rural women entrepreneurs. The Andhra Pradesh government has directed officials to ensure that both engagements proceed according to schedule, with appropriate security arrangements and adherence to protocol.
The National SARAS Mela will also bring together women entrepreneurs from multiple states and Union Territories, providing a platform for their products and rural enterprises. The President’s scheduled interaction with self-help group members and Lakhpati Didis is another important part of the programme.
With the visit scheduled for October 14 and 15, the state administration is focusing on interdepartmental coordination and advance preparation. The Chief Secretary’s instructions emphasise the need for officials to follow the prescribed itinerary and ensure that all arrangements are completed without avoidable delays or administrative lapses.
Editorial note: The itinerary and timings in this article are based on the draft schedule described in the supplied report. Confirm the final programme and any subsequent changes through official communications before publication.
