Ramlila Maidan ready to host Kejriwal's swearing-in

New Delhi, Dec 27: Final touches were today given to preparations at the historic Ramlila Maidan in Central Delhi where AAP leader

would take oath as Chief Minister of Delhi tomorrow.

Preparations for the event were near complete, North Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) officials said, adding that a large crowd is expected at the swearing-in. Apart from sprucing up the maidan, NDMC has decorated the venue with fresh flowers and potted plants. "We have already prepared the ground, and now we are decorating the venue with potted flowers.

Sanitary and toilet facilities have also been provided at the 15-acre venue

Since the weather has changed today with a drizzle in the morning, arrangements for cover will be taken up by the General Administration Department. The ceremony was supposed to be in the open, so no cover has been put up yet," a senior NDMC official said.

"The levelling and earth-filling have been done. Sanitary and toilet facilities have also been provided at the 15-acre venue. Mobile toilet stations have also been kept there and as per requirements we may press more of them into service," NDMC Public Relations Officer Yogendra Singh Mann said. Mann said crowd management and security at the venue would be handled by Delhi Police.

"We are also providing parking facility. DJB is providing drinking water tankers... Considering our handling of crowds during Anna Hazare's rallies earlier, it should not be a problem," Mann said. The PWD has painted pavements and road-dividers on the periphery of the maidan. CATS ambulances will also be stationed at the venue, he said.

NDMC workers were seen sweeping the ground in a somewhat symbolic gesture as AAP with its now ubiquitous broom symbol is all set to take over the reins in the national capital. Two senior police officers from D B Gupta Marg and Kamla Nagar police stations expressed confidence in handling the crowd and on security arrangements.

The ministers to take oath, along with Kejriwal, are Manish Sisodia, Rakhi Birla, Somnath Bharti, Saurabh Bhardwaj, Girish Soni and Satendra Jain.

PTI