Bhubaneswar, July 14: Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee arrives here tomorrow to lay the foundation of the regional branch of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, amidst protests over reports that the Centre wanted to disinvest in profit-making National Aluminium Company Ltd. The central trade unions have decided to stage a six-hour dharna during Vajpayee's visit on the Nalco issue.

"We want the Prime Minister to clarify the matter," Intuc national vice president Ramchandra Khuntia said.

A huge podium and covered enclosure is being constructed at Sijua village, about 14 km from the heart of the city, where the proposed health facility would come up. Vajpayee, who would be accompanied by the Union Minister for Human Resource Development and Science and Technology Murli Manohar Joshi and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Sushma Swaraj, would also address a function at the Institute of Life Sciences later in the afternoon.

Security has been strengthened around the Raj Bhavan where Vajpayee would have lunch.

Forty-two platoons of policemen would be deployed in the city and its neighbourhood for the Prime Minister's visit, official sources said. They said strict vigil would be maintained at the public function venues and quick response teams would be on the alert.

The wide roads through which the Prime Minister's cavalcade would pass have been decorated with huge banners and BJP flags.

Bureau Report