High security measures for Defence Expo 2014

NEW DELHI: The defence ministry's concerns over security at Pragati Maidan, after it discovered that an exposition of weaponry and other systems will run concurrently with another of auto parts, have eased after it was decided that an eight-foot-high fence will be erected to separate the two events, with the matter having been escalated to the level of home secretary Anil Goswami.

The Central Industrial Security Force will patrol both sides of the barricade to ensure there's no 'intrusion' into the defence fair.

The ministry raised strong objections earlier this month when it learnt that Def Expo 2014 and Auto Expo 2014 Components will be held at Pragati Maidan between February 6-9.

The main venue of the Auto Expo has been moved to India Expo Mart in Greater Noida from Pragati Maidan for the first time because of lack of space at the venue in Delhi.

The defence ministry told the home ministry that Def Expo has a certain "security sensitivity" and is mostly a trade show that several delegations, officials and armed forces personnel will attend, besides business teams from 60 nations including many that are "security-sensitive".