President Murmu’s Jalandhar Visit Called Off Due to Inclement Weather
President Droupadi Murmu’s scheduled visit to Jalandhar on Friday was cancelled owing to adverse weather conditions. She was expected to grace the 21st convocation ceremony at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT) as the chief guest.
According to an official, the decision to call off the visit was taken after dense fog and poor visibility affected travel plans. The President had arrived in Amritsar on Thursday, where she addressed the convocation at Guru Nanak Dev University. Her itinerary included travelling to Jalandhar the following day for the NIT event.
Officials Confirm Cancellation
Himanshu Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar, confirmed the development over the phone, stating that the President’s visit had been scrapped due to the prevailing weather conditions. Several parts of Punjab have been experiencing heavy morning fog over the past few days, disrupting normal schedules and travel arrangements.
Convocation Proceeds as Planned
Despite the President’s absence, the convocation ceremony at NIT Jalandhar proceeded as per schedule. Punjab Governor and Administrator of Chandigarh, Gulab Chand Kataria, attended the event in her place.
Earlier on Thursday evening, the Punjab government hosted a dinner in honour of the President in Amritsar. The gathering was attended by Governor Kataria, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and several state ministers.
The cancellation highlights the challenges posed by the region’s winter fog, which often leads to flight delays and logistical disruptions. Authorities have advised travellers to stay updated on weather alerts and plan accordingly during this season.
