PM’s 1st public address afterOp Sindoor in Bikaner today

Bikaner: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his first public address in Deshnok, Bikaner, on Thursday after India's recent military operation, ‘Operation Sindoor', targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan. The visit comes precisely a month after terrorists gunned down tourists in Kashmir's Pahalgam.

Bikaner, located near the international border and of strategic importance, stands as a symbolic venue for the PM's address, expected to send a powerful message of resilience within India and to the global community.

The anticipation ahead of the event in Bikaner city and Deshnok town was palpable with posters, banners and BJP flags covering the streets. Various civil society groups, including resident welfare associations and local traders' bodies, have mobilised people and encouraged them to attend the public rally in Palana, nearly 12km from Deshnok.

With temperatures in Bikaner expected to reach 45°C, the district administration has taken extensive measures to ensure the safety and comfort of the people, including setting up water stations, air coolers, medical aid, and deploying additional staff to combat the heat. "Special provisions have been made to deal with the extreme heat," said a senior local official.

Security measures have been heightened throughout the district, with thorough checks on all vehicles entering Bikaner along with aerial surveillance. Chief secretary Sudhansh Pant coordinated with local authorities to oversee the arrangements.

The PM is scheduled to arrive at Indian Air Force's Nal Air Base, where he would meet defence officials before proceeding to the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok for prayers. Following this, he will virtually inaugurate over 100 redeveloped railway stations across 18 states, including eight in Rajasthan, all renovated under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme at a cumulative cost exceeding Rs 1,100 crore. The Deshnok Railway Station, redesigned to reflect the region's architectural heritage, will be among the highlights.

At 11.30am, the PM will address a public rally in Palana, where he is expected to lay foundation stones and inaugurate infrastructure projects worth over Rs 26,000 crore, including the 58km Churu–Sadulpur railway line and several newly electrified railway routes. Additionally, projects aimed at upgrading and maintaining 12 state highways covering 757km with an investment of ₹3,240 crore will be launched to enhance regional connectivity.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and other state ministers reviewed the preparations on Wednesday. Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said the PM's visit was an expression of his gratitude to the people of the border regions and their steadfast support to the armed forces during ‘Operation Sindoor'.