A multi-agency security operation is being implemented to secure the G20 summit venue and protect the visiting dignitaries in the National Capital during the mega event on September 9-10, ensuring there are no infiltrations, acts of terror, or sabotage.
Nearly 1,30,000 security personnel are deployed for the high-profile mega event.
While the Delhi Police is heading the massive security umbrella, the security paraphernalia will include components of the paramilitary forces or the Central Armed Police Forces and the commandos of the elite anti-terror contingency force National Security Guard (NSG). As many as 1,30,000 security personnel, including the 80,000-strong Delhi Police, will be deployed during the G 20 summit.
Addressing a Press conference here on Friday, Special Commissioner of Police (Security) Madhup Tiwari said a Special Commissioner of police-rank officer will be commanding the security at the big venues.
Tiwari said the Delhi Police is being assisted by some Central Armed Police Forces and the NSG in the arrangements.
“The Delhi Police has devised an extensive security plan covering various aspects, including airport security, venue security, accommodations, and motorcade management. The security planning aims to minimise disruption to normal law and order and inconvenience to the public,” he said.
Tiwari, however, asserted that these measures have been taken keeping in mind that common people face minimum inconvenience.
“At the hotels, a DCP-rank officer will serve as camp commander. The rest of Delhi will be on high alert,” he added.
Tiwari said more than half of the Delhi Police force will be involved in providing security for the summit. He asserted that arrangements have been made to ensure that the common people are not inconvenienced.
“Specialised measures involve the assistance of the Indian Armed Forces, and we are confident that we will provide foolproof security. More than half of the Delhi Police force will be deployed in civilian attire for this event,” said the official.
Noting that the existing manpower of the Delhi Police would not have been sufficient for this, Tiwari said the force is being aided by the NSG for anti-terror measures and some Central Armed Police Forces, who have assisted by providing vehicles and equipment.
“For specialised measures, we also have the Indian Armed forces assisting us. The staff has been provided role-based micro-functional training and made aware of their duties. This has been done through carcade rehearsals, point-wise briefing. The rest of Delhi will be on high alert,” he said.
More than half of the Delhi Police will be deployed for the mega event, Tiwari added.
Asked if there will be any special uniform for those deployed for the summit, he said, “In order to ensure that there is a uniform look of all the jawans deployed for the summit, there will be a special civilian dress designed for them. We will also be having jawans from districts and police stations.” He, however, ruled out any specific input of threat.
Apart from snipers placed atop key buildings in the Lutyen’s zone, the Delhi police will mount drone surveillance over the national Capital 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.
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.
In a bid to safeguard the Delhi airspace and provide a secure environment for high-level gathering, the Indian Air Force 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 to protect the Delhi air space to provide protection to the high-level meeting.
Sources said the counter-drone systems along with air defence missiles are also being stationed in the national Capital to protect against any possible air threat in the national Capital to protect against any possible air threat in coordination with all security agencies by the Indian Air Force, sources said.
The northern regions of the nation will remain under vigilant surveillance through the utilisation of Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), often referred to as the “eyes in the sky.” These airborne systems will ensure continuous monitoring of the area to detect any untoward movements or activities.
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.
Many world leaders travel with their own bodyguards and vehicles. India has requested countries to be “rational” about the number of cars and personnel that they bring, but has not put any restrictions, sources said. The Government has also leased 20 bullet-proof limousines at a cost of USD 2.18 million for ferrying leaders.
The two-day summit, starting September 9, will have the most high-profile guest list India has ever welcomed, from US President Joe Biden to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Bin Salman.
Leaders from Japan, Australia, France and Germany are also among those expected to attend, although Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is facing criticism from the West for the war in Ukraine, has said he will be represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.