Delhi Police promising extensive security operation for Commonwealth Games

October 21 - Delhi will have exclusive lanes for vehicles, four-layered security checks at venues, experts to battle chemical or biological weapons as well as helicopter surveillance during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, New Delhi Police have promised.

The plans were unveiled as part of a strategy to try to allay international fears over security following the terrorist attacks in Mumbai last year, when at least 173 people were killed, and in Lahore in March when the Sri Lanka cricket team were ambushed.

New Delhi Police Special Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said: "There will be an exclusive lane for Games vehicles.

"Any vehicle infringing on that lane would be impounded."

The exclusive lanes would run all over the city, connecting the event venues, hotels, the Games Village, practice venues and other important places, Kumar promised.

He said: "Along the routes there will be anti-sabotage teams, Quick Response Teams (QRT), commandos, ambulances, uniformed personnel and snipers on rooftops.

"Buses carrying athletes will have armed personnel, besides armed escort vehicles."

Y.S. Dadwal, the Police Commissioner of New Delhi, claimed that overseas countries should not be concerned about security in the Indian capital.

He said: "Delhi has successfully organised various international meets.

"We organised the Olympic Torch Relay [last year] without any disruption though we have a large Tibetan population.

"We hope to repeat that.

"Not only Games but we are looking at the security of the city holistically.

"We are working in close coordination with various agencies.

"We have a foolproof security plan in place."

The Police also promised to take elaborate security measures at the Games venue and the Athletes Village.

These will include three-meter perimeter wall along with 1.5 metre iron grills, closed circuit television surveillance, QRT and teams to battle chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear explosives.

The Police have also made hi-tech arrangements to check vehicular traffic into the Games Village.

Kumar said: "At first level, radio frequency identification, under vehicle scanner and boom barrier would be there.

"But if someone, somehow breaks that barrier, there will be 'tyre killers'.

"And if someone crosses even that, then there will be an automated road blocker."

People entering the Village will be checked by door frame metal detectors and hand held metal detectors as well as X-ray scanners.

Kumar said: "All the police personnel on Games duty will be given non-clonnable identity cards.

"Even inside the Stadium there will be adequate security arrangement. Heli-borne assault teams will be deployed to thwart terrorists."

The parking sites marked across Delhi for Games will also have high security.

Official vehicles would be driven by drivers who would undergo background checks.

The Police have also planned tight security at hotels.

Kumar said: "Hotels already have their security.

"Besides these, we will have CCTV surveillance.

"Watch towers will be installed.

"The work force in the hotels will also be screened and get special accreditation cards.

"Even the food going to hotels would be tasted and checked by experts."