PC personally supervises venue security

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, who personally ensured security for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on Sunday was foolproof, stopped his car half a kilometre from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium’s gate number 2 and chose to walk.

Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram, who personally ensured security for the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on Sunday was foolproof, stopped his car half a kilometre from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium’s gate number 2 and chose to walk.

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The security at the venue of the Games opening ceremony on Thursday proved a great leveller as even Delhi government MLAs were seen standing in queues waiting to pass through the three-layer security check before entering the main venue a kilometer away.

“The home minister took it upon himself to see the preparations inside the stadium were requisite,” a senior police officer said.

Nattily dressed in a t-shirt and khaki trousers, Chidambaram took a tour of the showcase stadium at 3 pm, returning two hours later for a second assessment wearing a pink shirt and black trousers.

Chidambaram’s presence ensured other senior politicians and home ministry babus also showed up on time.