As the swearing-in ceremony of Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi for the historic third consecutive term will be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7.15 pm on Sunday, unprecedented security has been beefed up in the national capital and special measures have also been arranged for leaders from the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean region attending the high-profile event. 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. The Rashtrapati Bhawan will have a three-layered security both inside and outside the premises. Delhi Police personnel will remain deployed at the outer ring, followed by paramilitary personnel and internal security of the President's house at the inner ring. The swearing-in ceremony will be attended by over 8,000-9000 guests, including various professionals and cultural performers.
Enhanced security measures are in place for foreign dignitaries, including special protocols at their hotels. Security measures include designated routes for dignitaries from their hotels to the venue, with top hotels like Leela, Taj, ITC Maurya, Claridges, and Oberoi under special security cover.
A host of heads of government from neighbouring countries will attend the swearing-in ceremony of Modi. An official statement said Sri Lanka's president Ranil Wickremesinghe, Maldives' Mohamed Muizzu, Bangladesh's prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Bhutan's Tshering Tobgay, Nepal's Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda', and Mauritius' Pravind Kumar Jugnauth have accepted the invitation to attend the event. Seychelles' Vice President Ahmed Afif will also be attending the ceremony.
"In addition to participating in the swearing-in ceremony, the leaders will attend a Banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the same evening," the statement said.It added that the visit of the leaders to attend the swearing-in ceremony is in keeping with the highest priority accorded by India to its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and 'SAGAR' vision.
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.
Visuals from the Kartavya Path police station showed the officials keeping a watch on the areas through CCTV cameras. According to the police, the area around the Rashtrapati Bhavan has been made a 'controlled' area.
In areas including, Sansad Marg, Rafi Marg, Raisina Road, Rajendra Prasad Road, Mother Teresa Crescent, and Sardar Patel Marg, vehicles having passes of the event will be allowed for the movement.A public advisory declared a No-Fly Zone over Delhi, prohibiting the use of various aerial platforms to prevent threats from criminal or terrorist activities during the ceremony. This restriction will be in effect from June 9 to June 10, with violators facing penalties under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
Police officials also said that the dignitaries attending the swearing-in will be given designated routes from their hotels to the venue and back. 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.
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 said.
The change of guard ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan has been suspended on June 8, 15, and 22 due to preparations for the swearing-in ceremony of Modi and his council of ministers and President Droupadi Murmu's address to both Houses of Parliament. The change of guard ceremony is a military tradition that is held every week to enable a fresh group of the President's Bodyguards to take charge.
