NSG vans, 4,000 police personnel secure key roads

New Delhi: The Delhi police on Friday made elaborate security arrangements in the city in view of the final journey and funeral ceremony of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Earlier security was beefed up at the residence of former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee on Friday morning following VVIP movement.

Anticipating heavy footfall during Vajpayee’s final journey on Friday, central Delhi was put under tight security. The traffic police has cordoned off 25 roads in the area for traffic movement from 8 am onwards.

A police officer said they had a late night meeting with the authorities concerned to make adequate arrangements for the funeral procession.

“Security arrangements made for Independence Day have been extended. Over 4,000 police and paramilitary personnel stood guard as the funeral procession of former prime minister started from the BJP headquarters for Rashtriya Smriti Sthal on Friday,” a senior police officer said.

All the senior officers were personally monitoring the situation, including Delhi Police commissioner Amulya Patnaik who was present at Rashtriya Smriti Sthal, where Vajpayee’s mortal remains were consigned to flames.

The police said a security plan was devised together by the northern and southern ranges. Thirty companies comprising close to 2,500 police and paramilitary personnel, 600 policemen from the security wing and 800 traffic policemen had been deployed to ensure the procession went off without any glitches.

Thirty Parakram vans manned by NSG-trained drivers and commandos, which are mandated for anti-terror operations were also deployed.