9 months of planning, dry runs: How Delhi Police pulled off security ops for G20 Summit
To understand the challenges faced by the force, The Indian Express spoke to Special Commissioners in the Delhi Police, who were appointed venue commanders for the event and led hundreds of officials and personnel during the three days.
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Several carcade rehearsals were carried out. (Express file photo) “We had a plan for every situation. Our planning was so meticulous that even if there was heavy rainfall and a dignitary had slipped, we had hand-picked and trained personnel on how to approach and pick them up. These policemen would then rush the guest to the nearest hospital…” This is how a Special CP-level officer described their nine months of planning for the G20 Summit in the national capital which involved extensive security arrangements and training hundreds of personnel.
According to Special Commissioner Madhup Tiwari, who handled the entire security apparatus, several audits were conducted and joint meetings held with multiple agencies. “We drafted an extensive plan in February-March, which saw minute changes 5-6 times. We had to plan everything — hotels, traffic and VVIP movement, security at ITPO and airports. This was one of the first times when district police personnel were asked to do security department work. So, they were trained by different agencies. We prepared a proper carcade structure as per Delhi roads and venues,” he said.
To understand the challenges faced by the force, The Indian Express spoke to Special Commissioners in the Delhi Police, who were appointed venue commanders for the event and led hundreds of officials and personnel during the three days.
Bharat Mandapam: DCP (G20 cell) Shweta Chauhan said they were on their toes throughout. “We had to plan for security deployment at a venue (ITPO complex) that was under construction. We drew maps and made different zones. We also fixed duties of officers, coordinated with all units and districts and worked under a unified command. We also conducted several mock drills and dry runs for the Summit.”
At least five mock drills were carried out by the Delhi Police at Rajghat where a wreath-laying ceremony by delegates was planned. Two other mock drills and rehearsals were held with the National Security Guard (NSG), CAPF, and other security agencies. Over 230 cameras tracked carcade movement. At the ITPO complex, police had more than 700 cameras that provided live-feed at the Delhi Police HQ and were analysed round-the-clock at a command room.
IGI, Palam airports: Special Commissioner Nuzhat Hassan, in charge of these venues, worked with a team that was deployed at the airports from September 5-12.
An officer, who refused to be named, said, “Planning at the airport was hectic. We had to work with ATC officers and the Air Force… If the ATC clears a plane landing, we have to get the leader’s carcade set up even if another leader’s plane arrives first. Also, a few delegates brought multiple planes… We had planned on how to divert traffic at the airports. We were in touch with MEA liaison officers and other personnel at all times. In the end, airport duties were successful; no leader had to wait for carcades and there were no security issues.”
Rajghat: Here, Special Commissioner Shalini Singh and her team worked for months to perfect their plan for the wreath-laying ceremony. As it is an open space, multiple snipers had to be deployed at nearby buildings and atop houses at Daryaganj.
“There’s limited space in front of Rajghat. So, we divided each contingent into two divisions. Presidents and world leaders were only allowed to bring three-four cars with them (to Rajghat); the other cars were diverted to MG Road. Following rules for such events, the leaders arrived in alphabetical order (as per country). However, we were ready in case of delays,” she said.
Singh also explained how she and her team arrived at the monument at 3 am on Sunday and worked till 10 am. “We made tents for foreign security officers at one side. It was an important event as everyone gathered at the same place at the same time. Rain was an issue but nobody left their positions. We trained personnel to interact politely with delegates during frisking and security checks.”
Only Delhi Police personnel were allowed to enter Rajghat since all foreign security groups were stationed outside.
Hotels: Working with over 1,700 police personnel, Special Commissioners HGS Dhaliwal and Ravindra Yadav were asked to conduct anti-sabotage, anti-terror, and other security checks at hotels where delegates stayed.
Dhaliwal, who was in charge of 12 hotels in Lutyens Delhi, said, “It was a challenge as each hotel was different and had different security requirements. We had to ensure fool-proof security at all points at these hotels… even spaces where movements of our staff were restricted. We worked in coordination with liaison officers and related agencies to ensure due security. The carcade movement was also monitored closely.”
Traffic: Special CP (Traffic, Zone 2) SS Yadav said, “We had fool-proof arrangements and inspectors were deployed at crucial junctions. We suggested that the PWD put up signages and construct U-turns at important junctions to ensure no logjams in New Delhi district. Women traffic inspectors were also deployed, who were on their feet to ensure hassle-free cavalcade movement. DCP (Traffic HQ) Chander Kumar Singh and DCP (Traffic, New Delhi) Alap Patel were the nodal officers coordinating efforts under my supervision.”
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