New Delhi: With US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama landing at the Delhi airport, an unprecedented security cover was witnessed even as the traffic at city's roads was thrown out of gear. The Air Force One landed at about 10 am at the Palam airport. Amid four layers of security with Delhi Police on the outermost level of Obama's cavalcade, Obama reached the ITC Maurya Sheraton in his armoured vehicle 'The Beast' at about 10.30 am. His cavalcade was followed by dozens of motorbikes driven by India security men to ensure security.
The entire route was sanitized and scanned on Saturday night and early morning. Heavy security deployment along the carriageways with snipers stationed on buildings all along were also witnessed. There are over 50,000 Delhi policemen who are guarding the city for the visit.
The major areas which were affected as far as traffic is concerned are roads between ITC Maurya and the airport which was shut fore an hour in advance of Obama's arrival. Sardar Patel Marg was out of bounds for traffic till 12 noon as Obama headed for courtesy call on President Pranab Mukherjee. Other areas affected were Mother Teresa Crescent, South Avenue, Rajghat, Tilak Marg, Ring Road.
Soon after the US President landed in the national capital, the city was transformed into a virtual fortress with unprecedented security arrangements. The Delhi Police had also put in place traffic restrictions for the public on routes where the US dignitaries had been staying and would be visiting on Sunday.
Security tightened at Hotel Maurya Sheraton where US President Barack Obama is to stay. (Photo: Twitter)
The city was completely locked down in to an overwhelming security ring with personnel from the Delhi police and paramilitary forces numbering over 70,000. The security ? in an around the hotels is super tight with several layers of security personnel securing its precincts.?
??Various roads in the city were either closed completely or partially kept open with intermittently traffic restriction. No traffic has been allowed on C-Hexagon India Gate between Akbar ?Road and Copernicus Marg.
Sardar Patel Marg (both carriageways) – from Sardar Patel Marg- Panchsheel Marg till Dhaula Kuan ?has also been closed for general traffic?, while traffic has also been closed for few hours on Kasturba Gandhi Marg and Ashok Road.
Snipers of Delhi Police and National Security Guards have occupied all high-rise buildings on the routes which Obama will be travelling. Central Delhi has turned into a virtual fortress with security agencies partly or completely shutting down nearly 71 buildings. Even bona fide citizens of this area, including MPs and officers of the Armed Forces, have been either issued special passes or have to establish their identities to enter the zone.
A joint team of the US Secret Services and sleuths of central security agencies will be monitoring specially established control rooms which are connected to freshly installed CCTVs for the VVIP, who will be the chief guest at the 66th Republic Day on Monday.
The Director General of Civil Aviation has issued a 'NOTAM' (Notice to Air Men) for diverting all flights flying over Delhi at the time of the parade.
