Despite adverse reports by the Delhi Police and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) on the arena of the World Culture Festival being organised by Sri Sri Ravishankar’s Art of Living Foundation, the Special Protection Group (SPG) took over the venue on Wednesday, an indication that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend the event on Friday.
By the mandated drill, the SPG takes over the venue at least 48 hours in advance in case of a visit by the Prime Minister.
A top Home Ministry official told The Hindu that the organisers had been asked to make the “necessary alterations” to accommodate the security requirements.
“We have been informed that there is a separate entry for the VVIPs, including the PM. The SPG has taken over the venue today, 48 hours in advance, which is part of its drill. This is an indication that PM Modi is likely to attend the event. We have not been conveyed anything from the PMO though,” a senior official said.
“There have been shortcomings in the arrangements and we have asked the organisers to reduce the number of people on stage. Say, if earlier five people were to be present on the stage at any given time, we have reduced that to three and have asked the organisers to follow the norms,” the official said.
A senior Urban Development Ministry official said that based on the CPWD’s suggestions, the organisers were still “improvising the designs.”
