Two days after the devastating blasts, Gujarat remains on high alert even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi are scheduled to arrive in Ahmedabad later on Monday to take stock of the situation and meet victims in various hospitals of the city.
Security has been beefed up in the four major cities of Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot with patrolling increased in various areas. Elaborate measures have also been taken up in view of Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi's visit.
The state administration is on its toes and is keeping tabs on the situation. "We are closely monitoring the situation from the Chief Minister's Office," an official said.
The army which had carried out a flag march on Sunday in sensitive areas of the city has been kept on stand-by on Monday, Joint Commissioner of Police H P Singh said.
Personnel from RAF, CRPF, SRP have been deployed at various places in Ahmedabad and Surat. Extensive checking of vehicles was also taken up at different places.
The city crime branch heading the investigations in the blasts has launched a massive operation to track down those involved.
{{/usCountry}}The city crime branch heading the investigations in the blasts has launched a massive operation to track down those involved.
{{/usCountry}}The scene in the hospitals remained grim with victims still trying to come to terms with the horrors of the blasts, which claimed 49 lives and injured over 145.
Primary schools in Ahmedabad and Surat remained closed as a precautionary measure though other business establishments, high schools and colleges were open.
Since Monday is the first working day of the week, many people were seen returning to their daily routine and attending offices, despite heavy rainfall and water-logging.
Heavy rains which lashed the city since Sunday night after a long break, are a welcome relief for the people who are trying to forget the agony of the serial blasts.