Chidambaram to review Commonwealth Games security today

PTI

New Delhi, 01 September 2010: Giving highest priority to the Commonwealth Games security, Home Minister P. Chidambaram will hold a high-level meeting today to take stock of the measures being put in place for the fortnight-long sporting extravaganza beginning October 3.

 

In the meeting, to be attended by top security officials of different agencies, Chidambaram will review the steps being taken to ensure incident-free and successful Games. Delhi Police Commissioner Y.S. Dadwal is expected to give a presentation on the deployment of security personnel, traffic management and contingency plan for emergency.

 

A four-tier security apparatus will be put in place during the Games. However, so far there is no specific threat to the Games. Over 10,000 athletes from 71 countries and 500,000 spectators are expected at the Games to be held from October 3 to 14.

 

According to the security plan, athletes, officials and guests can visit the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium only by bus and no VIPs, except the heads of state, will be allowed to take their cars in. Parking arrangement has been made for 150 buses at JLN stadium.

 

 

Each of the 13 competition venues for the Commonwealth Games will have a tight security ring and special arrangements will be made to transport the athletes to and from the Games Village escorted by helicopters carrying commando snipers keeping an eye on the convoys.

 

This is aimed at preventing incidents like the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers in Lahore in March 2009. To ensure fleet security, each of the 574 vehicles to be used for ferrying athletes across the city will have to undergo mandatory anti-sabotage clearance every morning before athletes board them.

 

Besides, after the takeover of all venues and the Village, security agencies will start their work for putting in place metal barriers, tyre busters, CCTV, metal detectors and conduct anti-sabotage drills. “The security will be similar to the one put in place in Parliament,” an official said.

 

Mock security drill will be held by security agencies besides issuing electronic bar code to authorised cars and bus which will be allowed in. “We have to check even the toilets being put in place outside the venues for spectators or security personnel,” said the official.

 

The taking over of the Games venues and the Village assumes urgency as the first batch of athletes and officials arrives here on September 15.