Patna: Concerns have been raised about the efficacy of chief minister Nitish Kumar's planned yatras and the associated security issues even as he visited two more villages on Saturday.

The itinerary for Nitish's current yatra - Vikas Karyon ki Samiksha Yatra to inspect development works - had been conveyed to the district administrations weeks before. Many in the state believe prior information has meant development works have been expedited and villages spruced up for the chief minister to inspect and review.

A senior Janata Dal United leader, who was with Nitish in a couple of districts during this yatra, told The Telegraph: "There have been instances in various districts where the administration had successfully managed to hide poorly constructed buildings and faulty constructions with the help of curtains and pandals. Supaul is one among such examples."

Former chief secretary V.S. Dubey also said most of what the chief minister has seen is "managed". "The purpose is his visit is not met. He should instead organise surprise visits to get a clear and correct picture. Seeing only orchestrated things won't serve the purpose," said Dubey, while conceding that the chief minister's visits lead to elation among the local people as repair of roads, filling of potholes, a fresh coat of paint, hygiene and cleanliness come with it.

At times the chief minister also uses the occasion to announce new schemes. "These things raise expectations about development among the people," he added. On Saturday, Nitish visited a village each in Rohtas and Bhojpur districts.

The flip side to the elation is the security concern with these visits. "Surprise is the first element of security. If people get to know about the visit of chief minister and other such dignitaries, those harbouring grievances can easily arrange stone-pelting, blockades and protests," a senior police official said.

Like on Friday, when a group of residents from Dalit Tola near Buxar's Dumraon insisted that Nitish should also visit their hamlet of 500 people, which was still deprived of basic amenities. Stopped from reaching Nitish, the residents had pelted stones at the chief minister's convoy.

The police officer said safe entry and exit for the chief minister depend on how alert the local and district administration is. "If everything ends smoothly, the top district officials get a pat on their backs. If any incident happens, it fizzles out with time," he added.

Another political leader, who has been close to Nitish for over two decades, pointed out that these visits and meeting with the locals on their home ground "create a political base for him, the party and the government. It also acts a safety valve where people could vent their grievances directly to him and release the pressure build-up".

JDU spokesperson and MLC Neeraj Kumar, however, asserted that development works were being undertaken not only in villages where Nitish was going but all over the state.

"The development schemes, including many of the seven resolves like pucca lane and drain or drinking water to every household, are being implemented in phases, and are to be completed by 2020. Not a single village will be left out. There are some people (read RJD) who incite people by telling them that there would be no development in their villages or tolas (hamlets) and exploit their anger," Neeraj said.

He went on to add that Nitish was the only leader in the country who has been regularly conducting tours across the state to take stock of the implementation of development schemes and gather a first-hand account of problems on the ground.