President Murmu, VP Radhakrishnan to visit Odisha on Nov 24-25 and Nov 16
Synopsis
Both the President and Vice-President of India are visiting Odisha within days of each other — VP Radhakrishnan on 16 November for legislative and academic inaugurations, and President Murmu on 24-25 November for the culturally iconic Baliyatra Utsav and a national homoeopathy conference. Chief Secretary Anu Garg has mobilised multi-district security and logistics machinery to ensure a smooth twin-visit fortnight.
Key Takeaways
Radhakrishnan will visit Bhubaneswar and Cuttack on 16 November 2026 .
He will inaugurate a training programme for 17th Odisha Assembly members and the academic tower of Sri Sri University .
President Droupadi Murmu will visit Odisha on 24-25 November , attending the Baliyatra Utsav-2026 in Cuttack as chief guest.
On 25 November , President Murmu will address the National Homoeopathic Scientific Conference in Bhubaneswar.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg chaired a preparatory meeting on 13 November ; DGP Vinaytosh Mishra will oversee statewide security.
A dedicated State Home Department control room will monitor traffic and convoy movement in both cities.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan are both scheduled to visit Odisha this month, with Chief Secretary Anu Garg chairing a high-level preparatory meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, on 13 November 2026 to review arrangements. The twin visits mark a significant moment for the state, requiring coordinated security, logistics, and administrative planning across two districts.
Vice-President's Visit on 16 November
Vice-President Radhakrishnan will arrive at Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, aboard a special Indian Air Force aircraft on 16 November. His first engagement will be the inauguration of a training programme for members of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly at the Mayfair Sanctuary Convention Hall in Bhubaneswar — a session expected to last approximately one hour.
He will then travel to Cuttack to inaugurate the iconic academic tower of Sri Sri University before returning to New Delhi in the afternoon. The visit is compact but covers two major institutional events across two cities.
President Murmu's Two-Day Visit on 24-25 November
President Murmu will depart New Delhi on 24 November in a special Indian Air Force aircraft, arriving at Bhubaneswar airport around noon. After proceeding to Lok Bhawan, she will attend the 'Baliyatra Utsav-2026' in Cuttack as chief guest in the evening — a culturally significant annual festival celebrating Odisha's ancient maritime heritage.
Following the event, she will return to Bhubaneswar for an overnight stay. On the morning of 25 November, President Murmu will preside as chief guest at the National Homoeopathic Scientific Conference at Abhin Chandra Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital in Bhubaneswar, before returning to New Delhi in the afternoon.
Security and Logistics: Who Is in Charge
Senior district and police officials have been assigned clear responsibilities. Khordha Collector Amrit Ruturaj and Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde will oversee ground arrangements in their respective districts. Security supervision in Bhubaneswar falls under Twin City Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh, while Cuttack's Deputy Commissioner of Police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo will handle security in that city.
Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra will oversee statewide security operations. The State Home Department will establish a dedicated control room to monitor traffic and convoy movement across both cities.
Key Arrangements Under Review
The preparatory meeting reviewed reception and farewell protocols, convoy management, medical and healthcare services — including life-saving equipment and emergency medical teams at all venues — fire safety, road repairs, sanitation, and uninterrupted power and water supply. Chief Secretary Garg directed officials to conduct field inspections and complete all assigned tasks within stipulated deadlines.
Notably, this level of coordinated multi-agency preparation reflects the constitutional weight of hosting both the first and second citizens of India within a fortnight. With assignments distributed to multiple departments and district administrations, the state administration is treating the visits as a full-scale protocol exercise. All arrangements are expected to be in place well ahead of the first visit on 16 November.
Point of View
And it reflects Odisha's growing profile — particularly given President Murmu's own roots in the state, which lend her visits a symbolism beyond protocol. The Baliyatra Utsav appearance is especially notable: it anchors the presidency in cultural diplomacy rather than administrative ceremony. What the bureaucratic review meeting underscores, however, is the pressure on Odisha's district machinery — running back-to-back high-security visits across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack within ten days is a significant logistical and administrative test, and any lapse would carry national visibility.
NationPress
14 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will President Droupadi Murmu visit Odisha?
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Odisha on 24 and 25 November 2026. She will attend the Baliyatra Utsav-2026 in Cuttack as chief guest on 24 November and preside at the National Homoeopathic Scientific Conference in Bhubaneswar on 25 November before returning to New Delhi.
What will Vice-President Radhakrishnan do during his Odisha visit?
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan will visit Odisha on 16 November 2026. He will inaugurate a training programme for members of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly at the Mayfair Sanctuary Convention Hall in Bhubaneswar and later inaugurate the iconic academic tower of Sri Sri University in Cuttack.
Who is overseeing security for the presidential and vice-presidential visits to Odisha?
Director General of Police Vinaytosh Mishra will oversee statewide security. Twin City Police Commissioner Suresh Dev Datta Singh is responsible for Bhubaneswar, while Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo handles security in Cuttack. The State Home Department will also operate a dedicated control room for convoy and traffic monitoring.
What is Baliyatra Utsav and why is it significant?
Baliyatra Utsav is an annual cultural festival held in Cuttack, Odisha, celebrating the state's ancient maritime heritage and trade links with Southeast Asia. President Murmu's presence as chief guest at the 2026 edition lends the event heightened national prominence.
Why did Odisha's Chief Secretary hold a preparatory meeting?
Chief Secretary Anu Garg convened the high-level meeting on 13 November 2026 to review and coordinate arrangements for both visits, including security, accommodation, transportation, convoy management, medical facilities, and infrastructure readiness across Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
