The parking lot at the main crematorium in the heart of the city was turned into parking space for a public rally nearby that was addressed by the PM. Families that are bereaved were asked to use another crematorium in the western part of the city.

The PM tweeted, "The inconvenience caused to citizens in Chandigarh, especially shutting of schools due to my visit is regretted. It was totally avoidable."

Colleges and schools were closed today and exams were cancelled in many institutions.

Brigadier Devinder Singh fought in the Kargil war in 1999 against Pakistan. His 24-year-old son was killed in a road accident yesterday.

He told NDTV he would cremate his son in Mohali nearby, since the main Chandigarh crematorium was not available.

The PM inaugurated a modern Rs 900-crore version of the city's airport this morning which will handle domestic as well as international flights.

He then was the chief guest at a convocation or graduation ceremony of the main hospital in Chandigarh.

Officials said special arrangements had been made to ensure ambulances, which would be forced to use longer routes than usual, would not face other delays when they pulled in at the PGIMER hospital because of the security arrangements for the PM's visit.

At least 4,500 police personnel, including commandos and SWAT team members, were posted to ensure the PM's security.