Ban on drones, G20-like measures: Delhi readies for Narendra Modi’s swearing-in
Delhi will remain on high alert on Sunday for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
According to officials with the Delhi Police, a multi-layered security with five companies of paramilitary personnel, NSG commandos, drones and snipers will blanket the Rashtrapati Bhawan for the event.
As the day is set to witness the presence of dignitaries from SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations, who have been invited to the ceremony, the security cover is likely to resemble the one for the G20 summit last year.
Police officials also said that the dignitaries attending the swearing-in will be given designated routes from their hotels to the venue and back.
An official notice by the Delhi Police on Friday highlighted the prohibition on certain flying objects in Delhi.
PERSONNEL TO BE DEPLOYED
Snipers and armed police personnel will remain deployed on the routes of the dignitaries and drones, while drones will be deployed at strategic locations in the national capital.
The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be attended by top leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal, Mauritius and Seychelles, for which, hotels in the city such as Leela, Taj, ITC Maurya, Claridges and Oberoi have already been brought under the security cover.
Artificial Intelligence technology and intrusion warning systems will be used for scanning and facial recognition, while snipers will be deployed at strategic locations and high-rise buildings.
HEAVY SECURITY AT RASHTRAPATI BHAWAN
As the event is scheduled to be held inside the Rashtrapati Bhawan, it will have a three-layered security both inside and outside the premises.
Commandoes from Delhi Police’s SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) and NSG will remain deployed around the President’s house and various strategic locations on the event day.
“Around 2500 police personnel, including five companies of paramilitary and Delhi Armed Police (DAP) jawans, have been planned to be deployed around the venue,” an official told PTI.
TRAFFIC DIVERSIONS
In the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony, several roads heading towards the central part of Delhi may be shut on Sunday, or there may be traffic diversions since morning.
Further, checkings will be enhanced at the borders of the national capital from Saturday itself.
DIGNITARIES/SPECIAL INVITEES AND SCHEDULE
Leaders from India’s neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region have been cordially invited to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony.
Among those who have accepted the invite are Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, Vice President of Seychelles Ahmed Afif, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, and Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
Following the swearing-in, the leaders will attend a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the same evening.
Some special invitees for the ceremony would include labourers working on the Central Vista project, staff and employees from the railways department working on the Vande Bharat and metro trains, transgenders, sanitation workers from the public health department, beneficiaries of the Central government schemes, and Viksit Bharat ambassadors.