Security agencies to take over CWG venues today

Delhi Police is likely to take over all Commonwealth Games venues today and start plugging security loopholes, if any, to ensure an incident-free event which high on terror radar.

Delhi Police is likely to take over all Commonwealth Games venues on Tuesday and start plugging security loopholes, if any, to ensure an incident-free event which high on terror radar.

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Though there is no specific threat to Games but a general one, security establishment is leaving no stones unturned for the mega event which would showcase country's ability to hold such events.

Delhi Police, which is the nodal agency for Games security, will conduct various drills, including anti-sabotage checks once they take over possession of the venues, a senior police official said.

Apart from around 80,000 Delhi Police personnel, over 17,500 paramilitary personnel, 3,000 commandos and 100 anti-sabotage check teams will be deployed across the city. The Army has been asked to be alert.

Once security personnel take over the venues, the entire venue will be completely sanitised by security personnel and are sealed after a thorough check.

Concerns were earlier raised about the delay in handing over venues to security agencies as some quarters felt that it would hamper the security preparations.

Delhi Police Commissioner YS Dadwal, however, downplayed the delay and said the force was prepared to handle the security issues related to the sporting extravaganza.

"We know the stadia and surrounding areas. We know the city very well. So securing them or other areas will not be a problem," Dadwal had told PTI when asked whether the delay in completion of Games projects was compromising security preparedness.

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram will review the arrangements on September 15, once the security overlays are put in place.

Heli-borne snipers, four-layered security cordon around Commonwealth Games venues and exclusive lanes for Games vehicles were among the components of the mammoth security plan for the event.

The security plan prepared for the mega event, which will see participation of around 8,500 athletes from 71 countries competing in 17 events, also envisages snipers on rooftops, commando hit teams and expert groups to tackle any chemical, biological, radio-active or nuclear attacks.

Air Force will provide surveillance from the skies. Heli-borne assault teams will also be deployed to thwart any terror strikes.

"We are closely working with central intelligence agencies. The Air Force will be surveying the airspace. We will have heli-borne snipers patrolling the skies," a senior police official said.

According to the plan, the venues, Games Village, practise and parking lots and Indira Gandhi International Airport where athletes arrive will have a four-layered security cordon.