Jalandhar/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Punjab’s Jalandhar district on Sunday to participate in celebrations marking the 649th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas, with authorities enforcing heightened security following a threat email targeting the Prime Minister.
Around 8,000 police personnel drawn from 26 districts have been deployed to secure the venue, making it one of the largest security arrangements in the state in recent months. The visit marks Modi’s first trip to Punjab since September last year.
During the visit, the Prime Minister will unveil a plaque renaming the Adampur airport as Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport and will also inaugurate the new terminal building at Halwara airport via video conferencing, officials said.
Security measures were further tightened after four private schools in Jalandhar received a threatening email on Saturday morning. While the message did not directly threaten the schools, it targeted the Prime Minister and referred to past incidents abroad. Following the alert, security agencies swung into action and conducted checks across the city. Schools were already closed on Saturday due to the shobha yatra organised ahead of Guru Ravidas Jayanti.
This will be Modi’s third visit to Punjab since January 2022, when his scheduled programme in Ferozepur was cancelled after his convoy was stranded due to protests, triggering a major security controversy. Since then, he has visited the Adampur Air Force Base in May 2025 after Operation Sindoor and Gurdaspur in September to review flood damage.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister is scheduled to land at the Adampur Air Force Base around 3.45 pm. From there, he will travel to Dera Sachkhand Ballan in an MI-17 helicopter. Given forecasts of inclement weather, authorities have also rehearsed road travel contingencies. A helipad has been prepared within the dera premises, and security drills have been conducted in coordination with the Indian Air Force and the Special Protection Group.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi will offer floral tributes at the temple, pay respects to Guru Ravidas and Sant Sarwan Dass, perform ardas and undertake parikrama before addressing the gathering in the evening.
The PMO said renaming the Adampur airport is intended to honour Guru Ravidas, whose teachings of equality, compassion and human dignity continue to shape India’s social fabric. Officials added that the new terminal at Halwara airport would significantly enhance air connectivity for Ludhiana and neighbouring regions, benefiting the industrial and agricultural economy of the area.
The Halwara terminal, developed at a strategically important Indian Air Force station, features a longer runway capable of handling A320-type aircraft. Designed in line with sustainable development goals, the facility incorporates energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting and recycled water usage, while reflecting Punjab’s cultural heritage in its architectural design.
