International Yoga Day: 127 compartments to accommodate 2.5 lakh participants

The Hindu

24-05-2025

The district administration is busy making arrangements for the 'International Yoga Day' event scheduled to be held in the city on June 21. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and many other dignitaries set to attend the programme, the event is likely to gain global attention.
A series of coordination meetings are being organised at the collectorate in this regard. The meeting on Saturday (May 24) was presided over by Minister for Home V. Anitha.
During the meeting, Visakhapatnam Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad gave a presentation on the plan and other arrangements to the attending Ministers and other public representatives.
He called for strict coordination among various departments, stressing the need to achieve a Guinness World Record. He said the 2.5 lakh participants of the event should be arrangedalong a 26.5-km stretch from RK Beach's Kali Mata Temple to Bheemili. The main stage will be set up along a 4-km stretch between Kali Mata Temple and YMCA, where dignitaries such as the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, Governor, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, other Ministers and prominent personalities will participate.
He said 127 compartments will be arranged along the 26.5-km stretch — one compartment every 200 meters. Each will accommodate at least 1,000 participants. Each will have an in-charge person, a medical team and 10 volunteers drawn from NCC and NSS. Small stages, sound systems and LED screens will be provided at each location.
Using maps, he explained the locations where the compartments will come up and explained the entry route of vehicles to the venues.
The programme will cover both sides of the road (RK Beach to Bheemunipatnam) for 9 km and one side of the road for the remaining 19 km. Around 1.24 lakh participants will be positioned along the main road, and the remaining participants will be accommodated in other venues, he said.
Mr. Harendhira Prasad also said that yoga sessions will also be held along the coastline. As part of the safety measures, the administration will deploy lifeguards and professional swimmers along the coast.
He said there are also plans to offer organic breakfasts. He also stated that the officials are coordinating with various yoga associations across the district to provide training.
The Collector said that Trainer of Trainers (ToTs) and master trainers have already been identified, and they will impart training at the mandal level, ward secretariat levels in three phases. He added that staff involved in traffic control, signage setup, infrastructure development and the execution of yoga routines will be trained in their roles.
Alternate arrangements
Mr. Harendhira Prasad also said that in case of any rain, arrangements will be made on AU Engineering College Grounds to accommodate about 10,000 people. Dignitaries like the Prime Minister, Union Ministers and the Chief Minister will participate in the event at this venue.
Earlier in the day, a large number of personnel from police, the Greyhounds special force, APSP, and Navy as well as retired army and police personnel took part in the 'Yogandhra' campaign, being organised as part of month-long celebrations ahead of the International Yoga Day event on RK Beach.