Jalandhar, Jan 16: Dense fog across Punjab forced the cancellation of President Droupadi Murmu’s scheduled trip to Jalandhar on Friday morning. The President was slated to serve as the chief guest for the 21st convocation ceremony at the Dr. BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology.
Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal confirmed the development, noting that the persistent atmospheric conditions made travel unfeasible. “The president’s visit was cancelled due to bad weather conditions,” the official said during a phone briefing.
The cancellation follows a period of heavy morning fog that has blanketed much of the region, significantly reducing visibility. While the President could not attend, the academic ceremony at the institute proceeded as planned. Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria stood in to preside over the event in her absence.
President Murmu had arrived in the state on Thursday, starting her tour in Amritsar. She successfully addressed graduates at the Guru Nanak Dev University convocation before weather conditions deteriorated. Her visit also included a formal dinner hosted by the Punjab Government on Thursday evening.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and several state cabinet ministers joined Governor Kataria at the Amritsar dinner to honor the President’s visit to the state prior to the weather-related disruptions on Friday.
