New Delhi, Jan 23 (IANS) India's national capital will turn into a virtual fortress ahead of US President Barack Obama's arrival here Sunday, with over 45,000 security personnel guarding roads and 15,000 CCTV cameras keeping a hawk's eye on various areas.
Around 20,000 personnel will be deployed on specific locations from Jan 25, the day Obama arrives in Delhi and the number will almost double the next day, Delhi Police said.
Police said over 45,000 security personnel will be deployed on the streets of the national capital Jan 26 for the Republic Day celebrations. Obama's will be the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade.
Around 15,000 newly-installed CCTV cameras will be used to keep watch in areas where Obama's cavalcade will move as also some other roads and markets.
Rajpath, the three-km stretch which is the main venue of the Republic Day parade, has nearly 160 CCTV cameras. One camera was installed in every 18 metres.
A Delhi Police official, who did not want to be named, said camera footage may be shared with the US Secret Service.
Officials said as part of heightened security arrangements, the no-fly zone for civilian aircraft will extend to 500 km radius of Delhi Jan 26 and will cover cities such as Agra and Jaipur, and even areas along the border with Pakistan.
The radius of no-fly zone on for earlier Republic Day functions used to be 300 km, they added.
A seven-layer security ring will guard the enclosure that would be used by Obama, President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to watch the parade.
The enclosure will be bullet-proof as the US president will be in an open air setting for over one-and-a-half hours, something unprecedented in his visit to a foreign country, officials said.
Before Obama's plane lands Jan 25 at Delhi airport, the area will be taken over by Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel and US Secret Service agents.
India Gate and Rajpath have already been shut for people and the area is under constant guard by security personnel.
Sources said the central, north and New Delhi districts will be manned by over 20,000 security personnel, including men from the SPG. The airspace over the capital will be monitored by special radar, they added.
Most of the buildings within a two-km radius of Rajpath will have snipers on the roofs during the parade.
Security arrangements at ITC Maurya, where Obama will be staying during his three-day visit, are being monitored on daily basis.
Delhi Metro Friday said services would be partially curtailed Jan 26 as part of security arrangements for Republic Day. It said all Metro parking lots in Delhi will remain closed from 6 a.m. Jan 25 until 2 p.m. Jan 26.
Entry and exit at the Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan Metro stations will remain closed from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m Jan 26, while the entry and exit at Patel Chowk and Race Course stations will be closed from 8.45 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Mandi House and Pragati Maidan metro stations will also be closed for people for one hour between 10.45 a.m. and 11.45 a.m., a Delhi Metro official said.
Know why Rakesh Tikait said - it will not take long for another big movement to arise in the country
Rakesh Tikait, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Kisan Union, has once again threatened the central government with a farmer movement. This time he said that a bigger farmer movement can come
Sputnik V Vaccine: Serum Institute seeks permission from DCGI to make Sputnik-V vaccine
Serum Institute of India (SII) can also manufacture the Russian vaccine Sputnik-V in India in the coming days. Serum Institute has sought permission from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)
Weather Updates: Outbreak of cold wave continues in North India including Delhi NCR, many states in fog cover
There is no hope of respite from the severe cold in the states of North India including Delhi NCR. Also, there is no going to get rid of the fog. The Meteorological Department has predicted dense fog
Turkey's fashion brand Koton arrives in India
New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Indian men can now jazz up their wardrobe with Turkish brand Koton’s spring-summer collection.E-commerce site FashionAndYou has tied up with the Turkish brand Koton to
Monsoon Report: Monsoon became a disaster in southern states, two were killed in Kerala floods, and loss of crores in Karnataka
Kerala and Karnataka are in the grip of floods due to heavy rains these days. People's life has become busy here. Millions of people are affected by the floods. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological
Modi said- United Nations is facing a crisis of trust, cannot face the current challenges without major reforms
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the United Nations (UN) is facing a crisis of trust and this should be noted. The Prime Minister said this in a four-minute video message. The message was
HC asks Delhi Police to curb illegal sale of acids
New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) Taking strong note of acid attacks on women, the Delhi High Court has termed it a "dastardly and cowardly act" and directed the city police to curb illegal sale of acid
Russia-Ukraine war: Russian army fired 10 missiles in the city of Mykolaiv, bombings in residential areas, destroyed two universities
The Russian army has destroyed two universities in the Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. Targeting the university, 10 missiles were fired one after the other, due to which loud explosions were heard in the
RCB vs CSK: These eleven players will change your luck in Dream 11! Blindly appoint this player as the captain of the team
The 68th match of IPL 2024 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings will be played at M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. This match is very important for both
Pakistan is not deterring from antics: conspiracy of espionage through Kartarpur Corridor, ISI officers present among devotees
The Kartarpur Corridor opened between India and Pakistan and brought relief to lakhs of pilgrims. But, even in this holy act, the nefarious intentions of Pakistan have come to the fore. According to
