In order to skirt strong protests by Samaikyandhra votaries, sources say that President Pranab Mukherjee will land at Air Force Station (AFS), Hakimpet, instead of Begumpet airport on Thursday evening.
The President will be the city till December 31st as part of the annual southern sojourn which all Presidents undertake and stay at the Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolarum when Delhi gets extremely cold.
Sources say after landing at the air base, Pranab Mukherjee would be driving down directly to Rashtrapati Nilayam at Bolarum, a distance of 6 km. However, Governor ESL Narasimhan and AP CM N Kiran Kumar Reddy will have to travel for over 20 kms.
This is to receive the dignitary even as the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB) which has recarpeted half-km stretch between Nartaki Theatre and R P Nilayam by spending huge sum is staring at wastage of money.
