Delhi Police Presents Security Plans to the Security Officers of Commonwealth Countries

Weeks after the furore over Commonwealth Games 2010 preparations in the city, the organizing committee on Wednesday was more than eager to showcase its security plans for the Games. On the first day of the conference of security liaison officers of Commonwealth countries as well as representatives of Commonwealth Games Associations, the government along with the OC laid out the elaborate plans it has drawn up. From tackling terror to taming traffic woes, the presentations by Delhi Police was well received, added sources.

Speaking at the event, minister of state for home Ajay Maken assured the visiting delegates that the government was ‘‘committed to making the Games a success’’. As a step towards that, the home ministry has constituted several inter-ministerial committees to ensure speedy coordination and communication, he added. Also present at the conference was Union home secretary G K Pillai and chairman of OC, Suresh Kalmadi.

However, it was the presentations by the Delhi Police that garnered the most attention, added sources. From plans to counter terror, like having over 2,000 CCTV cameras to keep a watchful eye on the happenings in the city and keep sending live images to a state-of-the-art police control room being set up at the police headquarters, to tackling traffic during the Games, the presentations addressed several issues that had been raised by participating countries, said sources. The delegates were also assured that as far as security was concerned, there would be no dearth of resources and manpower. However, officials claimed that it was made clear that no details of the security set-up would be put up on the websites, so that information would not be leaked in the case of hacking.

Part of the plans include the presence of elite NSG commandos at the Games as well as 300 ambulances and over 500 beds, which will be kept ready round-the-clock to deal with any terror situation or other emergency during the Games.

The meeting also discussed issues like crowd control, routes of the athletes from Games Village to venues, VIP visit arrangements, security at the entry and exit points and preparedness during emergency situations besides medical facilities at each venue. The Indian side informed the delegates that besides keeping Delhi safe in the run up to the Games, the entire country will also be kept secure from any act of terror or major law and order incident.

During the presentation, the Indian side informed security experts from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and others participating nations, that there was no specific terror threat to the Games in which 8,000 athletes of 72 countries will participate and over 1,00,000 spectators are likely to turn up. Directors general of police of different states have also been sensitized to ensure a safe and secure environment.

The delegates will be taken on a conducted tour to some of the Games venues on Thursday so that they can have first hand experience on the preparations.