Srinagar: Amid tight security, the first batch of G20 delegates landed at Srinagar international airport this morning. The delegates were received by Union tourism minister G. Krishan Reddy and Amitabh Kant G20 Sherpa. After which, they directly headed for the summit venue at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC).
The next batch of delegates is expected to land at the airport after sometime, officials said. Around 60 delegates are set to attend the G20 summit. Of which, Singapore will send the highest number of delegates.
The three-day G20 summit will be inaugurated at 3 pm. This will be followed by two working sessions on 'Film Tourism for Economic Growth and Cultural Preservation'. Union minister of tourism Kishan Reddy and Union minister of state (independent charge) science and technology Jitendra Singh will inaugurate this session. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will also attend the meeting. Bilateral meetings will be held among delegates.
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The entire city has been wrapped under a three-tier security blanket for the summit from May 22 to 24. Area domination exercises have already been conducted in and around the venue as well as the route towards it. Marine commandoes and National Security Guard (NSG) commandoes have been deployed at the venue and at all the sensitive areas and installations. Sniffer dogs and scanners have also been pressed into service. Random checking of vehicles passing through city is being done to ensure strict security.
As a precautionary measure, schools have been closed for three days. Roads, parks and building on the way to the venue have been decked up to welcome the delegates. Also, hoardings and signboards with G20 logos have been put up on roads from the airport to the venue.
