Bhubaneswar, July 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled visit to Odisha on July 4 has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions and widespread heavy rainfall across the state, officials confirmed on Thursday. The decision was taken in view of the active monsoon system that has been causing persistent rain and disrupting normal activities in several districts.
According to Bargarh MP Pradeep Purohit, Shah’s visit was called off after weather conditions deteriorated and forecasts indicated continued heavy to very heavy rainfall across Odisha. The Home Minister was scheduled to arrive at Jharsuguda Airport on July 4 before travelling by road to Bargarh district to attend a series of official programmes.
One of the key events during the visit was the inauguration of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (BPCL) second-generation (2G) ethanol plant at Bargarh, developed at an estimated cost of ₹1,775 crore. The state-of-the-art facility is expected to boost ethanol production, support the biofuel sector, and generate employment opportunities in western Odisha.
Apart from inaugurating the ethanol plant, Shah was also scheduled to participate in several government programmes and public events during his visit. However, all scheduled engagements have now been cancelled as a precautionary measure due to the prevailing weather conditions.
MP Pradeep Purohit said the programmes would be rescheduled once the weather improves. He assured that fresh dates for the Home Minister’s visit would be announced after reviewing the situation.
The cancellation comes at a time when the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast widespread rainfall across Odisha under the influence of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal. Several districts have been placed under Red, Orange and Yellow warnings for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, prompting authorities to remain on high alert and review public events and travel plans.
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