NEW DELHI, September 13: Delhi remains under an extensive security cover on Sunday as the 18th BRICS Leaders’ Summit enters its final day at Bharat Mandapam, with heightened policing, traffic regulation and strict airspace restrictions continuing across the national capital.
Authorities have maintained multiple layers of security around summit venues, hotels and routes used by visiting leaders and delegations. The special aviation restrictions introduced for the summit are scheduled to remain in force until 11 PM tonight.
Non-Scheduled Flights Restricted Till 11 PM
Under a Notice to Air Missions issued for the BRICS Summit, non-scheduled flight operations are barred from 7 AM to 11 PM between September 11 and September 13 at airports within a 300-km radius of Delhi.
The restrictions cover private charters and several other non-scheduled aviation activities. Regularly scheduled commercial airline services are exempt, along with authorised government and emergency operations.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has also suspended flying-training activities in seven states during the security period.
Drones and Light Aircraft Face Wider Restrictions
Security agencies have imposed particularly strict restrictions on smaller aerial platforms.
Operations involving light and microlight aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and other long-range aerial vehicles have been prohibited within a 300-km radius of Delhi during the summit security window.
Drones, hang-gliders, paragliders, para-motors and aero-models have also been restricted within 100 km of the capital, with authorities describing the measures as precautionary steps for the safe conduct of the summit.
Thousands of Security Personnel Deployed
Around 15,000 Delhi Police personnel and approximately 200 paramilitary companies have been deployed as part of the security arrangements surrounding the high-profile gathering.
More than 500 CCTV cameras, including systems equipped with facial-recognition capabilities, have been used to monitor sensitive locations and key movement corridors.
Security teams have also deployed more than 100 trained police dogs for anti-sabotage and security checks at Bharat Mandapam and hotels accommodating foreign delegations.
Traffic Restrictions Continue Across Delhi
Delhi Traffic Police has maintained controlled movement and diversions on several important routes on September 13, particularly during VVIP convoy movements.
Traffic regulations are expected between roughly 9:30 AM and 9 PM, and commuters have been advised to use the Delhi Metro wherever possible, allow additional travel time and follow instructions issued by traffic personnel.
The summit security arrangements are coinciding with the India-Afghanistan T20 international at Arun Jaitley Stadium today, prompting authorities to issue additional traffic advice because of the expected movement of thousands of cricket spectators alongside BRICS convoys.
Rail Operations Also Affected
Northern Railway had revised the schedules of around 110 trains between September 11 and 13, including cancellations, diversions and changes in originating or terminating stations, as authorities sought to manage transport during the summit period.
The restrictions are expected to ease after visiting delegations complete their movements and the special summit security period ends later tonight.
source – DGCA / Delhi Traffic Police / India Today / The Indian Express / Hindustan Times
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