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A unprecedented ground-to-air security drill will turn the national capital into a fortress during the visit of Barack Obama as Chief Guest for the main Republic Day celebrations on 26 January — the first by any American President. However while most demands by the US authorities have been met with, some of them have been rejected outright.
No-fly zone demand rejected but anti-aircraft guns in place
US authorities reportedly wanted a no-fly zone imposed over Rajpath even for the Republic Day function but India denied the request saying it was traditional to have the Indian Air Force fly past.
The US authorities wanted a 5-km-radius no-fly zone imposed around Rajpath but it would have led to the traditional fly past being cancelled which the Indian military authorities shot down saying that it lasted only around 10 minutes.
The fly past will showcase Indian Air Force aircraft, including its recent acquisitions from the US like the C-17 Globemaster-III and Poseidon-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft. The area around Rajpath is traditionally a no-fly zone for commercial aircraft.
Barack Obama. Reuters
As a precaution, anti-aircraft guns have been placed at strategic locations to thwart attempts to violate the air space over the venue.
However, Indian authorities have acceded to some of the US security establishment's requests and security measures for Republic Day will have features like:
A seven layer ring of security
A seven-layer security ring will be thrown around the VVIP enclosure on Rajpath for the Republic Day parade to be witnessed by US President Barack Obama and the airspace over the area would be monitored by a radar to be specially set up.
A seven-layer security ring will be thrown around the VVIP enclosure with elite Special Protection Group and Secret Services personnel forming a part of the Close Proximity ring, official sources said, adding a radar has been exclusively kept for monitoring air space over the VVIP enclosure.
Central Security agencies have brought in their Concealed Anti-Terrorists (CAT) squads to the national capital who form part of teams that carry out surprise checks at hotels, guest houses and vulnerable localities.
The ITC Maurya hotel, where the US President will be staying, has been taken over by the Secret Services personnel and multi-frequency control room manned by the US officials have been set up.
American security personnel will also be part of the teams manning the control rooms set up to watch footage of nearly 15,000 CCTVs installed in the capital.
Longest outdoor exposure for Obama may mean bullet proof shield around the VVIP enclosure
US and Indian security agencies are taking extra care for Obama as he will be on an open air platform at Rajpath for more than two hours witnessing the Republic day parade. There is a possibility of putting up a bullet-proof shield in and around the VVIP enclosure.
However, according to an Indian Express report, the US security staff isn't too happy about this since it would mean Obama will be in an outdoor setting for two hours, which is the most time he would have spent outside. According to the report, the maximum time the US President normally spends outside is 45 minutes.
'No thanks Mr Mukherjee but I'll travel in the Beast'
There is a possibility that Obama, for the first time, will arrive at the venue separately rather than with the President in his bullet proof limousine. If he does come with the President Pranab Mukherjee, he will be possibly the first US President not to travel in his own highly-secured 'Beast'.
The guest list for the 'At-Home' function hosted by the President Pranab Mukherjee is being pruned this time because of security considerations, the sources said.
A Multi-agency control room to monitor city
A multi-agency control room will monitor the surveillance operations in every area of the national capital which has been put on the highest alert because of the visit of the US President. Obama is arriving here on 25 January on a three-day visit to the country.
Threat perception is the highest for the event but there is no specific intelligence input about a possible terror strike, officials engaged with the preparations said today while giving a broad overview of the security drill.
American Secret Service personnel, who have landed in the capital and Agra, have already conducted a preliminary survey of the routes to be taken by the US President and Rajpath where Obama will be seated along with President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hosts of other VVIPs to watch the annual parade.
Studying the R-Day floats
A power-point presentation of the Republic Day was given to the US officials about the events of the day including the cultural programme that will be performed by various artists before the VVIPs at Rajpath.
In light of the President Obama's visit, the number of tableaux as part of the parade have been increased from 20 to 25.
Metro stations to be taken over by security personnel 72 hours in advance
Metro underground and offices around the Rajpath area will be taken over 72 hours in advance at the request of the US security personnel. Snipers will take up positions at vantage points while Indian Air Force(IAF) will provide air cover to the parade area and the VVIPs on the ground.
The American security officials will be part of every rehearsal drill.
Access to Rajpath closed a day or two before Republic Day
Unlike in previous years, access to Rajpath has already been closed while roads criss-crossing Rajpath like Rafi Marg, Janpath and Man Singh Road will be shut for general public a day or two before 26 January.
Besides the 80,000-member strong Delhi Police, additional 20,000 paramilitary personnel and armed police forces from neighbouring states including Haryana, Rajasthan and India Reserve Battalions have been pressed into service to ensure fool-proof security in the capital especially around Rajpath where the main Republic day function will be held.
Obama's security services aren't pleased with India's R-day plans: Here's why - Firstpost
No-fly zone demand rejected but anti-aircraft guns in place
US authorities reportedly wanted a no-fly zone imposed over Rajpath even for the Republic Day function but India denied the request saying it was traditional to have the Indian Air Force fly past.
The US authorities wanted a 5-km-radius no-fly zone imposed around Rajpath but it would have led to the traditional fly past being cancelled which the Indian military authorities shot down saying that it lasted only around 10 minutes.
The fly past will showcase Indian Air Force aircraft, including its recent acquisitions from the US like the C-17 Globemaster-III and Poseidon-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft. The area around Rajpath is traditionally a no-fly zone for commercial aircraft.
Barack Obama. Reuters
As a precaution, anti-aircraft guns have been placed at strategic locations to thwart attempts to violate the air space over the venue.
However, Indian authorities have acceded to some of the US security establishment's requests and security measures for Republic Day will have features like:
A seven layer ring of security
A seven-layer security ring will be thrown around the VVIP enclosure on Rajpath for the Republic Day parade to be witnessed by US President Barack Obama and the airspace over the area would be monitored by a radar to be specially set up.
A seven-layer security ring will be thrown around the VVIP enclosure with elite Special Protection Group and Secret Services personnel forming a part of the Close Proximity ring, official sources said, adding a radar has been exclusively kept for monitoring air space over the VVIP enclosure.
Central Security agencies have brought in their Concealed Anti-Terrorists (CAT) squads to the national capital who form part of teams that carry out surprise checks at hotels, guest houses and vulnerable localities.
The ITC Maurya hotel, where the US President will be staying, has been taken over by the Secret Services personnel and multi-frequency control room manned by the US officials have been set up.
American security personnel will also be part of the teams manning the control rooms set up to watch footage of nearly 15,000 CCTVs installed in the capital.
Longest outdoor exposure for Obama may mean bullet proof shield around the VVIP enclosure
US and Indian security agencies are taking extra care for Obama as he will be on an open air platform at Rajpath for more than two hours witnessing the Republic day parade. There is a possibility of putting up a bullet-proof shield in and around the VVIP enclosure.
However, according to an Indian Express report, the US security staff isn't too happy about this since it would mean Obama will be in an outdoor setting for two hours, which is the most time he would have spent outside. According to the report, the maximum time the US President normally spends outside is 45 minutes.
'No thanks Mr Mukherjee but I'll travel in the Beast'
There is a possibility that Obama, for the first time, will arrive at the venue separately rather than with the President in his bullet proof limousine. If he does come with the President Pranab Mukherjee, he will be possibly the first US President not to travel in his own highly-secured 'Beast'.
The guest list for the 'At-Home' function hosted by the President Pranab Mukherjee is being pruned this time because of security considerations, the sources said.
A Multi-agency control room to monitor city
A multi-agency control room will monitor the surveillance operations in every area of the national capital which has been put on the highest alert because of the visit of the US President. Obama is arriving here on 25 January on a three-day visit to the country.
Threat perception is the highest for the event but there is no specific intelligence input about a possible terror strike, officials engaged with the preparations said today while giving a broad overview of the security drill.
American Secret Service personnel, who have landed in the capital and Agra, have already conducted a preliminary survey of the routes to be taken by the US President and Rajpath where Obama will be seated along with President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and hosts of other VVIPs to watch the annual parade.
Studying the R-Day floats
A power-point presentation of the Republic Day was given to the US officials about the events of the day including the cultural programme that will be performed by various artists before the VVIPs at Rajpath.
In light of the President Obama's visit, the number of tableaux as part of the parade have been increased from 20 to 25.
Metro stations to be taken over by security personnel 72 hours in advance
Metro underground and offices around the Rajpath area will be taken over 72 hours in advance at the request of the US security personnel. Snipers will take up positions at vantage points while Indian Air Force(IAF) will provide air cover to the parade area and the VVIPs on the ground.
The American security officials will be part of every rehearsal drill.
Access to Rajpath closed a day or two before Republic Day
Unlike in previous years, access to Rajpath has already been closed while roads criss-crossing Rajpath like Rafi Marg, Janpath and Man Singh Road will be shut for general public a day or two before 26 January.
Besides the 80,000-member strong Delhi Police, additional 20,000 paramilitary personnel and armed police forces from neighbouring states including Haryana, Rajasthan and India Reserve Battalions have been pressed into service to ensure fool-proof security in the capital especially around Rajpath where the main Republic day function will be held.
Obama's security services aren't pleased with India's R-day plans: Here's why - Firstpost
