New Delhi, April 16:The Olympic torch landed in Delhi late tonight for the India leg of the relay tomorrow. Hours earlier, the Union Home Ministry issued strict security guidelines which includes sealing all government buildings overlooking the Rajpath. The Ministry issued instructions stating that “all windows and doors” of these buildings should be closed from 1 pm to 6 pm tomorrow, and visitors barred.

In measures in line with those seen during the Republic Day parade, rooftops and balconies of these buildings will be secured, open only to security personnel.

The Olympic torch relay is planned along a 2.3 km route, from the main gate of the Rashtrapati Bhawan to India Gate, between 3 pm and 6 pm. In keeping with concerns expressed by the Chinese, the Ministry has come out with a comprehensive checklist that it hopes will keep potential Tibetan protesters at bay.

The measures, reviewed at a meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta, includes a multi-layered security along the torch route that will involve thousands of military, paramilitary and police personnel. Crack commandos will form the inner cordon.

All offices in the area have been advised to undertake a security check to ensure that visitors already in the buildings leave by 1 pm. Government employees will be allowed to stay, but they will be able to move out only after 6 pm.

Even the lawns outside North and South Blocks will be out of bounds tomorrow. Parking will not be permitted in the area, the exception being vehicles of senior officials of the Home Ministry, Finance Ministry and Department of Personnel and Training who will be issued special labels. But even these vehicles will not be allowed from 1 pm to 6 pm, said official sources.

Sachin too opts out of relay

Mumbai: Sachin Tendulkar became the latest celebrity to pull out of the Olympic torch relay on Wednesday. The batsman has reportedly been advised not to take part in the event in view of his groin injury. The Indian Olympic Association has said that 70 people, majority of them sportspersons, would run with the flame on Thursday.

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