New Delhi: The capital is set to roll out the proverbial red carpet for heads of states and delegations from 11 member and 10 partner countries who will be in attendance for the Brics Summit this weekend. Wrapped in a tight security blanket, all stakeholders are gearing up to ensure seamless touchdowns at IGI Airport, zippy hotel transfers on roads cleared of traffic, comfortable stays, and smooth travel to the summit venue.IGI AirportAir traffic controllers’ leaves have been cancelled and special officials have been posted on all shifts to coordinate with various agencies regarding the exact movement times of dignitaries so that other traffic can be adjusted accordingly. IGIA, which handles about 1,400 daily flights daily, is expecting an additional 40-50 flights till Sunday night and Monday morning.Aircraft carrying vehicles to be used by heads of some countries have been flying in. These planes will be back after the summit to fly the armoured limos back home.Special aircraft of five to six heads of states will be parked at the Palam technical area while delegations have begun arriving on scheduled commercial flights. For this, international arrivals have been spruced up. The airport operator has been directed to ensure no waterlogging and no potholes on the two main approach roads — one from Radisson to T3 and another leading to T1 from Dhaula Kuan side.HotelsWhile Russian President Vladimir Putin will stay at his favourite ITC Maurya, Chinese President Xi Jinping will be across the road at Taj Palace. The UAE’s head of state will be at the nearby Leela Palace while the Egyptian delegation will be at Maurya’s sister hotel, The Sheraton.“The main hotels for the heads of stay and delegation stay are Taj Mansingh, Taj Palace, ITC Maurya, Leela Palace and The Oberoi. As expected, the highest level of security is already in place,” said a hotelier on condition of anonymity.For security reasons, as many as up to three floors have been booked completely for some of the heads of states, with their delegation occupying the floor above and the dignitary staying below. Not surprisingly, the main hotels are sold out till next Monday. Room rates in other five-star hotels have shot up to up to Rs 40,000 due to this shortage.After Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi, Delhi has cemented its image as a leading venue for mega conferences.“The security teams of the world’s biggest leaders who come here frequently for summits have developed trust in us. Earlier, they used to fly in their own chefs. This time, many countries will be served by preparations of our own chefs. Some have actually asked for our chefs by name,” said a senior official.Well-known restaurants in these hotels, like Bukhara, Dum Pukht, House of Ming, Varq, Jamavar, Megu, 360, Baushuan, Loya and Spicy Duck, have geared up for unplanned dropping in by the VVIPs, with Bukhara having often hosted visiting US presidents in the past.A large suite, not the sprawling presidential ones where the dignitary stays, acts as a secure communication centre where other meetings are held by officials of that country regarding issues back home. The officials get their own secure communication lines.
