Not 70 lakh, but 1-2 lakh to attend Trump roadshow

Ahmedabad : Less than two lakh people are expected to line up along the 22-km route of the roadshow of US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ahmedabad on February 24, an official said on Thursday.

The number is much less than what the US president has been claiming. "He (Modi) says between the stadium and the airport, we'll have about 7 million people. So it's going to be very exciting. I hope you all enjoy it," Trump had said recently.

The total population of Ahmedabad is around 70 lakh, a civic official said.

The 'Namaste Trump' event to honour the US president is scheduled to take place at the Motera cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

Authorities believe that between one and two lakh people are expected to line up along the 22-km route of the roadshow from the airport to the stadium.

"We believe that around one to two lakh people will gather to welcome the dignitaries during the roadshow," Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Vijay Nehra said.

"MaruAmdavad says #NamasteTrump #IndiaRoadShow is getting bigger & bigger. More than 1 lakh participants already confirmed for the 22 km roadshow. Great opportunity for #Ahmedabad to present Indian Culture to the World.

Keep following @AmdavadAMC for more details," Nehra had tweeted on February 16. As per the roadshow route plan, Trump and Modi will first reach the Sabarmati Ashram, a place closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, from the Ahmedabad airport.

From the Sabarmati Ashram, both the leaders would take the SP Ring Road via Indira Bridge near the airport to reach the newly-built cricket stadium in Motera area of the city.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani recently posted a video on Twitter, saying the "world's oldest democracy would meet the world's largest democracy" when Trump addresses a large gathering at the cricket stadium along with Modi.