NSG takes over Ahmedabad airport security for Trump visit

Manas Dasgupta
Ahmedabad, February 19

The Ahmedabad airport was today handed over to the National Security Guard (NSG) to keep a strict vigil on the security arrangements for the visit of US President Donald Trump and the first lady who would be arriving here on February 24.

Official sources said the NSG commandos would maintain a round-the-clock vigil till the departure of Trump and his entourage, accompanied by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. All the labourers working for the last-minute repairs and beautification of the airport complex were asked to complete their task by this afternoon and evacuate before the NSG’s takeover.

The US Globemaster III, which has the capacity to carry over 600 tonnes of cargo, also landed at the Ahmedabad airport this afternoon carrying electronic devices and other materials to be used by the US Secret Service.

While Vijay Rupani’s Cabinet, at its weekly meeting today, reviewed preparations, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner Ashish Bhatia held a meeting of the top police officers at the Motera stadium to review the security arrangements. More than 4,500 police personnel were deployed in and around the stadium from this afternoon.