Jaipur, May 25 (IANS) The capital city of Rajasthan was witnessing heightened security and major traffic diversions on Monday as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to arrive in Jaipur as part of his India tour.

He will land at Jaipur International Airport at around 2 p.m. and will visit Amer Palace and participate in cultural engagements during his brief stay before departing on Tuesday morning.

During his visit to Amer Palace, Rubio may also visit the Elephant Village, City Palace and selected markets within the walled city area. He is expected to spend nearly an hour at Amer Palace, where a traditional Rajasthani welcome has been planned.

The Jaipur administration and security agencies have enforced extensive traffic restrictions in view of the VVIP movement.

According to the Traffic Police, the Airport-Amer corridor will remain closed to general traffic and tourists between noon and 6 p.m., affecting movement along major stretches, including JLN Marg. Rubio is expected to travel from Jaipur Airport to Amer Palace, with traffic movement along the entire route being suspended from around 1 p.m. until he arrives at Amer at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Later, he is scheduled to leave Amer around 4:30 p.m. for Rambagh Hotel, during which traffic from Amer to Rambagh Crossing will remain closed between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Authorities said parking of all vehicles will be prohibited along the VVIP route extending from Jaipur Airport through OTS, JDA Crossing, Ramniwas Bagh, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, New Gate, Choura Rasta, Tripolia Bazaar, Hawa Mahal Bazaar and Subhash Chowk up to Amer. However, ambulances and essential service vehicles will be exempted from restrictions.

Traffic police have arranged diversion routes through Tonk Road, Jhalana Bypass, Jawahar Nagar Bypass, Janpath, MI Road, Govind Marg, Delhi Road and other parallel roads. Light commercial vehicles, buses, mini-buses and slow-moving vehicles will face restrictions where required. Amer Palace will remain closed to tourists from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. following district administration orders issued for security reasons.

Rubio is expected to visit major sections of the palace, including Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-e-Aam and Ganesh Pol, where the Tourism Department has arranged a ceremonial reception featuring Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Kachhi Ghodi and Ravanahatha performances.

Security has been tightened across Jaipur, and the Police Commissionerate has imposed a two-day ban on drone operations in 24 police station jurisdictions on May 25 and 26. Legal action will be taken against violators under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

–IANS

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