NDMA to secure parliament as Obama speaks

NEW DELHI - The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is geared up to provide chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) cover for US President Barack Obama as he addresses India’s members of parliament Monday, an official said.

Speaking to IANS, NDMA member J.K Bansal said: “NDMA’s response force will deploy two vans, with five specialists in each, to patrol around Parliament. Both the vans will be equipped with equipment which can detect any radiation, chemical or nuclear leak.”

The equipment in the van can also handle any biological emergency, he added.

Official say that it is for the first time such security has been given to any head of the state visiting India.

“Earlier we had given such CBRN cover at the Games Village during the Commonwealth Games. This is the first time such a cover has been provided to any head of the state in the country, and we hope this would continue for any high-profile visitor from now on, Bansal said.

He, however, added that the CBRN cover is only for Obama’s address to MPs. “We are not providing this cover at the hotel where Obama and other US officials are staying”.

The US President arrived in Delhi from Mumbai on the second day of his four-day maiden visit to India.