Wednesday, March 1 2006 13:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Unprecedented security measures are in place in the national capital, particularly in Chanakyapuri and Lutyen's Bungalow Zone areas as US President George W Bush arrives on a three-day visit tonight (Mar 1,2006).

Additional police and paramilitary forces have been deployed in and around the places Bush and his entourage would be visiting during their stay in the capital, sources said.

Maurya Sheraton hotel, which would be home to the visiting President, and the adjoining Taj Palace have been taken over by US and Indian security officials.

US Secret Service agents, camping in Delhi for the last two months, have virtually sealed off the floor in Maurya Sheraton Hotel, where Bush would be staying, and have installed hi-tech gadgets to ward off any threat.

Elaborate security checks have been carried out at both the hotels, which have been declared out of bounds for general public.

Delhi Police has also advised citizens to avoid travel to Connaught Place, India Gate area and Ramlila Grounds tomorrow between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM.

Students taking board examinations have been advised to reach their examination centres by 8:30 AM for the exams which begin at 10:00 AM, to avoid delays due to road closure in view of the visit of the US President.

Bush, who arrives here tonight, would be visiting Rajghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi in the morning after a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Both carriageways of the roads used by Bush's motorcade would be closed for traffic.

Indian Air Force helicopters had carried out aerial surveys of various parts of the national capital, including the Parliament House premises, the Lutyen's Bunglow Zone, Rajghat and the hotel where the US President would stay.

A team of US officials also visited some hospitals in the national capital to carry out checks and identify some facilities to deal with an emergency.

At least four helicopters were brought to Delhi from the US a couple of weeks ago as were several cars, including some limousines which would be used by Bush for travel within the city.

The US Secret Service does not discuss methods or means of protecting the President in any detail. As the Presidential visit was finalised in Washington, about 250 Secret Service agents from some of its 15 overseas offices and the US visited Delhi and Hyderabad to survey places for the tour.

The agents form an impregnable 'bubble' covering the President and his entourage, which also has a national security staff official carrying the security arsenal codes.

A command post has been established in the capital, which acts as a communication centre for protective activities, monitor emergencies and keep all participants in contact witheach other.

The US security offcials had formed eight teams, one each for eight venues Bush would be visiting during his stay in the country. Each team is tasked with securing the venue assigned to it.