New Delhi: As US President Barack Obama arrives in the Indian capital today for a two-day stay, he will be covered by a five-tier security comprising hundreds of security personnel, with the two layers closest to him comprising US security personnel.
According to an official, the three other layers would consist of the elite National Security Guards (NSG), Indian paramilitary forces and Delhi Police. These layers have already taken up positions.
Obama, who arrived in Mumbai on Saturday, will arrive here this afternoon. He will first visit Humayun's Tomb, a World Heritage site. He will offer tributes at the Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial, hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and address India's parliament on Monday.
While NSG commandos and guards will be positioned at the ITC Maurya, where Obama will be staying, Quick Response Teams of the Delhi Police will be deployed all along the routes he will be taking.
"There would be about 250 NSG commandos as well as NSG guards camping at the ITC Maurya hotel, where Obama will be staying. NSG snipers will be also be deployed on high-rise buildings around the hotel and also at Maurya. Machans [watch-towers] would be placed opposite the hotel with sharpshooters atop them," the official told IANS.
This is because the hotel is bang opposite a dense green area called the Ridge and US secret service agents had expressed apprehension that the place could hide trouble makers.
Sardar Patel Marg, the road on which ITC Maurya is located, would be lit up at night with floodlights, authorities said. Besides several thousand Delhi Police personnel, 15 companies of paramilitary forces will be on duty.
"There would be more than 50 Quick Response Teams [QRT] deployed around the capital. Traffic restrictions will be in place Monday along the routes the US president will travel, and the roads are likely to be closed for traffic movement of the US president," he said. The parliament security officials have asked Delhi Police to carry out strict checking of vehicles and people entering the parliament on Monday.
Traffic restrictions
Delhi commuters can expect heavy congestion today due to traffic restrictions in place for Obama's visit, police said yesterday.
"If they can, commuters should avoid Rajghat and Delhi Gate Monday morning. People planning to commute to these routes must take into account the security arrangements and try to accommodate a possible delay of 15 minutes," said Satyendra Garg, joint commissioner of police (traffic).
Traffic restrictions will also be put in place at Sardar Patel Marg, India Gate, Ashoka Road, K.G. Marg and Copernicus Marg. The restrictions are expected to be in place from 8am to 10am on Monday.
"During VVIP movements, both carriageways of Sardar Patel Marg will be closed. Commuters can use Shanti Path and Vinay Marg instead," said Garg.
He said no special arrangements have been made for the US President, and similar arrangements were in place during visits of other foreign dignitaries.
