Bangalore, April 24 (IANS) Security has been stepped up at the airport here as several dignitaries are expected to land on their way to Puttaparthi to pay their last respects to spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba, who passed away Sunday morning.
Bangalore airport will become the hub as it is the nearest, 150 km, to Puttaparthi in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
"We have stepped up security at the airport as many dignitaries will be landing here to proceed to Puttaparthi," Bangalore Police Commissioner Shankar Bidari told reporters here.
He also said additional security measures have been taken at the Baba's Whitefield ashram (complex) on Bangalore's outskirts and at various 'Sai mandirs' (temples) in the city where his followers would gather.
Police have been put on alert throughout the state as the Baba had many followers across Karnataka, Director General of Police S.T. Ramesh told reporters.