Varanasi: The grand rehearsal for the proposed Indian Air Force (IAF) air show scheduled for Oct 22, 24 and 25 began offering a thrilling spectacle to residents of Kashi on Monday, as the thunderous roar of fighter jets repeatedly drew people’s attention skyward. For over four hours, residents across the city remained glued to the skies, eager to catch a glimpse of the aircraft showcasing their aerial prowess.
Since Oct 16, residents living along the Ganga have been spotting Chinook helicopters flying over the river, while the Sarang helicopter team made its presence felt in Kashi’s skies on Sunday. Aircraft expected to showcase their capabilities during the proposed air show include the Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, IL-76, IL-78, C-295 and AN-32, alongside frontline fighter jets such as the SU-30MKI and Rafale . Monday, however, brought an even more spectacular display, as the deafening roar of several IAF aircraft reverberated across the city. As the aircraft manoeuvred across the skies during the rehearsal, people could be seen craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the aerial spectacle. The ghats along the Ganga and the sandy stretches on the opposite bank soon became vantage points for spectators. Rooftops across the city also began filling up with residents hoping to witness the action from above. The rehearsals, similar to Monday’s display, are expected to continue until Wednesday. With spectators also expected to watch the air show from roadsides and rooftops, the police have issued guidelines to prevent people from gathering on unsafe or dilapidated buildings. The measures are aimed at ensuring that the much-anticipated aerial spectacle can be witnessed safely by residents and visitors across Kashi.