Security sets tough field for spectators

With security being a major concern, Singh and Musharraf will watch only the last session of the final ODI of the series, but will present the trophy to the winning side. Officials said that the two heads of state will watch the game for about an hour and a half. They will be seated in a bullet-proof enclosure in the pavilion. The Special Protection Guard will be in charge of the enclosure.

That arrangement in place, the government has clamped other security restrictions to ensure a smooth innings off the field. For starters, spectators will have to make it to their seats an hour before the match begins. They will be frisked at two points before they enter the ground and mobile phones, edibles and water bottles will not be allowed in. Security personnel on the field have also been asked to ensure spectators don’t change their enclosures as long the two heads of state are present.

The Delhi government has been asked to arrange for shuttle services to ferry passengers from the parking spaces — Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and Ram Lila ground. ‘‘Keeping in view the threat perception, the government has decided that car parks are not in the vicinity of the ground,’’ senior Home Ministry officials said.

The roads along the stadium will be closed for traffic as long as Singh and Musharraf are present. The Delhi Police has been asked to issue a traffic advisory well in advance to inform the public of the diversions. Moreover, the police has been asked to ensure there are no gate-crashers.

Meanwhile, say sources, interaction between Prime Minister manmohan Singh and President Musharraf during the match will largely depend on the outcome of the bilateral talks they hold the previous day.

Arriving on April 16, Musharraf will hold talks with Singh and meet former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Leader of Opposition L.K. Advani and leaders of the Hurriyat Conference the same day.