Even though the residents of the national Capital are acutely aware of the great honour that comes with being the city that is hosting the prestigious G-20 Summit from September 8 to 10, Delhiites are also bracing for restrictions that come with the event.
A number of banks and shops have been closed in some specific markets and in areas like Connaught Place, Khan Market besides retail liquor stores in the city. A multi-agency security blanket is being put in place to secure the summit venue and the dignitaries and ensure no infiltration, terror act or sabotage takes place.
A multi-tiered security cover entailing dog squads, Quick Reaction Teams and Special Weapons and Tactics contingents deployed during the event will provide foolproof security and the security arrangements will entail closure of markets and routes as also diversion of roads in the NDMC areas and the summit venue near Pragati Maidan. To mitigate the hardships of the citizens, the Delhi Police has issued detailed advisories regarding the closure of institutions or diversion of routes during the multilateral meeting. Malls and markets outside NDMC limits will remain open. Essential services like milk booths and medical stores will also remain open. Buses will also ply on the Ring Road except the NDMC areas. Delhi Metro operations will continue as usual except for the Supreme Court station. However, three-seater auto-rickshaws and taxis will remain barred during the summit in the New Delhi district. The Delhi Police issued a Helpline Number 6828400604 for ambulance assistance during the event.
The security paraphernalia will include components of the paramilitary forces or the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and the commandos of the elite anti-terror contingency force National Security Guard. Delhi Police and central forces personnel will be clad not in the usual khaki uniform but in blue during the summit. “Officers of the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police and above will wear blue suits, while others will have safari suits in the same colour. They have been provided the cloth, and will get it stitched in prescribed unified designs,” said officials on the condition of anonymity.
As many as 1,30,000 security personnel including the 45,000-strong Delhi Police, will be deployed during the summit. The 45,000 personnel include commandos who will act as personal security officers for the dignitaries. Apart from snipers placed atop key buildings in the Lutyens Zone, the Delhi Police will mount drone surveillance to thwart any aerial threats.
In addition, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also be kept on standby to mitigate any contingencies during the mega event to be attended by nearly 30 heads of states and multi-lateral fora. The IAF has set up a special Operations Direction Centre (ODC) to coordinate various aspects of the arrangements with the security agencies in a bid to safeguard Delhi’s airspace.
The IAF would be keeping its airborne warning systems, fighter jets including the Rafale on high alert along with stationing the new air defence missile systems at vital locations. Sources said the Army IAF and paramilitary forces, too, will deploy anti-drone systems, while 400 firefighters will remain on standby. North India will remain under vigilant surveillance through the utilisation of Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), often referred to as the “eyes in the sky.” Various agencies will work with backroom support from the Intelligence Bureau. Other security measures include taking off the public transport buses and private vehicles in the bungalows zone area and its vicinity where the venue at the Pragati Maidan is located.
The gathering of the heads of state and other dignitaries will be held on September 9 and 10 at the newly-built Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan. Security control rooms have been set up at Pragati Maidan and special arrangements are being made at important hotels like ITC Maurya, where US President Joe Biden and other heads of states will be staying.