Mysuru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mini road show in Mysuru yesterday, ahead of the inauguration of the COSMOS Planetarium at the foot of Chamundi Hill, drew an enthusiastic response, with thousands of people lining the route to greet him.

Modi arrived at the Sri Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Helipad near Lalitha Mahal Palace at around 3.30 pm and travelled in his armoured vehicle from the Lalitha Mahal Gate via Kurubarahalli Circle (Sangolli Rayanna Circle) to the entrance of Chamundi Hill. BJP workers, supporters and the public gathered along the route, chanting “Modi, Modi” as his convoy passed. The PM acknowledged the crowds by waving to them from inside his vehicle.

Helicopters maintained aerial surveillance as part of the elaborate security arrangements. Security was also tightened at the venue for the programme. More than 8,000 people, including over 3,000 students from schools and colleges affiliated with Mysore University, attended the programme.

Public representatives, political leaders and other invitees were also present. Entry was regulated through passes, with designated seating arrangements for different categories of guests.

Among those present in the reserved section were Sri Ramakrishna Ashram’s Swami Muktidanandaji, MLA T.S. Srivatsa, MLCs R. Raghu and K. Vivekananda, former MLA Niranjan Kumar, former Mayor Shivakumar, former UoM VC Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar, BJP District President Kumbrahalli Subbanna, BJP leader Mangala Somashekar, Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG&IGP) Dr. M.A. Saleem and Karnataka Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh.