New Delhi: For the first time, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) has been deployed here on Republic Day for maintaining vigil from the skies during the parade.
While roads around Rajpath, India Gate and along the route of the parade till Red Fort have been blocked for vehicular movement, traffic restrictions have been put in place to ensure smooth movement of Obama's cavalcade.
Both carriageways of Sardar Patel Marg, which is next to ITC Maurya Hotel where President Obama is staying have been completely shut down for normal traffic.
Snipers of Delhi Police and National Security Guards have been deployed at all high-rise buildings near the hotel.
The green ridge opposite to the hotel has been thoroughly checked and police personnel have been deployed in the forested area along the ridge till the US President leaves the Capital tomorrow.
Security agencies have also sealed 71 buildings in close proximity of Rajpath, which is the Republic Day parade route.
Security personnel have been deployed on rooftops. Even bonafide citizens of Lutyens' zone, including MPs and officers of the Armed Forces, have been either issued special passes or have to establish their identities to enter the zone.
Police have also installed around 80 face-recognition cameras around the venue of Republic Day celebrations and at the city's entry points to identify any subversive or criminal elements.
Spectators have been made to pass through a stringent multi-layered security check to be able to watch the parade and they were not allowed to carry any electronic gadgets to the venue.
The 80,000-strong Delhi Police force assisted by another 20,000 drawn from paramilitary forces and state armed police were on vigil for last few days to prevent any untoward incident in the city.
Specialised canine units of Indian paramilitary forces were deployed along with team of seven Belgian 'Malinois' dogs of the US Navy Seals, which are accompanying the security personnel of the US.
Known as 'canine officers', their breed shot to limelight following Operation Neptune Spear where they sniffed out and helped in the arrest of most wanted terrorist Osama Bin Laden from a house in 2011 in Abbottabad in Pakistan.
These canines are deployed to secure ITC Maurya along with a dozen canines of the Indo Tibetan Border Police.
