Deserted Roads, Buses In Depot, Closed Markets – A Covid Déjà Vu As G20 Locks Down New Delhi
As New Delhi turned into a fortress of sorts on the eve of the two-day G20 Summit, it was a déjà vu of the Covid-induced lockdown for many.
New Delhi turned into a fortress of sorts on the eve of the two-day G20 Summit that will be taking place from September 9-10 at the heart of India's capital.
As the national and international media made their way into the main venue of the Summit - Bharat Mandapam - to cover the curtain-raiser press conference, it was a déjà vu of the Covid-induced lockdown for many.
As one hit the roads in New Delhi and travelled from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (the assembly point for the media) till the Pragati Maidan where a gaggle of world leaders will assemble, one could not help but go back to the days of 2020 when the lockdown brought an existential crisis.
The G20 Summit is being held in New Delhi for the first time under India’s presidency. Key leaders from all across the world have slowly begun to ascend the Indian capital.
However, due to security reasons the government literally closed the entire New Delhi area as one could see all public buses stuff inside garages, empty roads in some of the crucial traffic junctions, closed markets, and no people at all and the slums have all been hidden behind fancy G20 posters.
At the end of every crucial road, the Police have placed barricades and are conducting checks at every movement.
According to Raj Niwas officials, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, V K Saxena will maintain continuous communication with the city's Police Commissioner and closely monitor the security situation throughout the event, news agency PTI reported.
Saxena is expected to remain in constant contact with the Delhi Police control room located at the police headquarters. His primary focus will be on coordinating with the Police Commissioner and overseeing security arrangements on the designated routes and hotels selected for G20 Summit requirements. He will be utilising state-of-the-art technology installed in the control room to receive real-time updates on developments within the city, PTI's report mentioned.
The control room will also receive district-wise visuals, with a specialised command room established to accommodate 30 senior police officials. This command center will be dedicated to monitoring even the minutest developments in the city and its roadways, it added.
Trending News
Top Headlines
