Atalji Forever: State funeral to be accorded to former PM today

New Delhi: Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee passed away at the age of 93, yesterday. Vajpayee, a bachelor, is survived by his adopted daughter Namita Kaul Bhattacharya. He will be cremated today in New Delhi.

The body of the BJP veteran is kept at his official residence at 6A, Krishna Menon Marg. BJP chief Amit Shah said people can pay their homage to the departed leader at his residence from 7.30 am to 8.30 am today.

The body would then be taken to the BJP headquarters at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg at around 9 am, he told reporters outside the late leader’s residence.

The funeral procession would leave the BJP headquarters at 1 pm and the last rites would be performed at the Rashtriya Smriti Sthal at 4 pm, Shah said.

Vajpayee’s death was announced by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) hospital where he was admitted June 11 with a variety of ailments.

“It is with profound grief that we inform about the sad demise of Former Prime Minister of India, Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, at 05:05 PM,” the AIIMS said in a statement.

It said his condition was stable for the last nine weeks, but “unfortunately, his condition deteriorated over the last 36 hours and he was put on life support systems.”

Several roads in Delhi to be closed

Some of the roads that will be closed from 8 am today are Krishna Menon Marg, Sunehri Bagh Road, Tughlak Road, Akbar Road, Tees January Marg, Man Singh Road, Bhagwan Dass Road, Shahjahan Road and Sikandara Road.

DDU Marg, IP Marg, BSZ Marg (from Tilak Bridge to Delhi Gate), JLN Marg (from Rajghat to Delhi Gate) will also be closed, the traffic police said.

Commuters have been advised to use Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg to travel between north and south Delhi.

Those travelling between east and west Delhi can use Vikas Marg, Shahdara Bridge and Wazirabad Bridge to reach Ring Road.

Schools to remain closed

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday announced that all the schools and offices in the national capital will remain closed on Friday as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“All Delhi govt. offices, schools and other institutions shall remain closed tomorrow, as a mark of respect for our dear departed Sh Atalji (sic),” Sisodia said in a tweet.

In another tweet, he said: “All schools including private schools shall also remain closed.”

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