Massive security grid with over 2,000 police personnel, sniper teams and 150 CCTV cameras at Parade Ground for PM Modi’s meeting

From welding work on giant metal barricades to police teams checking rooftops overlooking the venue, preparations continued late into Thursday (May 7, 2026) night at the sprawling Parade Ground in Secunderabad ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s public meeting and ‘Chalo Parade Ground’ rally scheduled for Sunday (May 10, 2026).

With an estimated crowd of nearly 70,000 people expected to converge in the heart of Hyderabad and around 2,000 buses set to ferry supporters from across Telangana, the city police have mounted an extensive security and traffic operation around the venue, the Begumpet airport route and adjoining stretches.

Workers could be seen racing against time at the Parade Ground through the day, setting up tents, fixing lighting systems and preparing galleries for attendees, while police officers supervised the layout of entry points, parking zones and surveillance arrangements. Senior officials said nearly 80 to 90% of the preparations, including the stage, seating for 80,000 people and galleries for people to stand, would be completed by Friday night.

“Special teams including anti-sabotage teams, sniper teams, bomb disposal squads and dog squads will be deployed for the bandobast. Around 2,000 police personnel across all ranks will be involved in the security arrangements,” said Begumpet ACP P. Gopala Krishna Murthy.

The police have established a temporary command and control centre inside the Parade Ground, with surveillance being carried out through nearly 150 CCTV cameras covering the venue, gates, surrounding roads and nearby Metro stations.

Police officials said portions of Hyderabad Metro stations and other elevated structures overlooking the Parade Ground may be screened off or covered to prevent people from viewing the event through binoculars or other devices from above.

Security deployment has intensified even before the Prime Minister’s arrival, with patrolling teams, check-posts and pickets stationed across key junctions in Secunderabad and Begumpet.

The Prime Minister is expected to arrive at Begumpet airport on Sunday morning before proceeding to programmes in Hitec City. He is later scheduled to return to Begumpet airport in the evening and leave for the Parade Ground around 5.40 p.m., reaching the venue by 6 p.m.

To manage the expected influx, the traffic police have identified 10 major parking locations, including Bison Polo Grounds and Wesley Grounds, where buses carrying supporters from various districts will be stationed.

“We are expecting around 60,000 to 70,000 people at the venue and nearly 2,000 buses. Four special trains have also been arranged, so a large number of people will be moving from Secunderabad railway station towards the Parade Ground,” said Malkajgiri DCP (Traffic-I) Rahul Reddy.

QR codes will be installed along approach routes so that visitors arriving from different districts can quickly identify their designated parking areas. Separate alighting points have also been planned close to the venue to minimise walking distances for attendees in the summer heat.

“Because of the heat, we have specifically planned drop points so people do not have to walk long distances,” the DCP said.

Nearly 500 traffic personnel will be deployed exclusively for traffic regulation and crowd movement around the event. While temporary diversions are expected during the Prime Minister’s movement between Begumpet airport and the Parade Ground, police officials maintained that major arterial roads would remain functional.

The police are also experimenting with a dedicated emergency vehicle corridor along parts of the route. A test run will be carried out on Thursday afternoon for the Telangana Chief Minister’s convoy. Barricades, ropes and traffic cones will be used to carve out a segregated lane from Begumpet Airport till the Lifestyle store in Begumpet to ensure uninterrupted movement for emergency services and VIP convoys while allowing regular traffic to continue moving.

“If this works successfully, other commissionerates may also replicate the model during future large-scale events,” the officer said.

Police officials also indicated that Metro Rail timings and operations near the venue could be adjusted on Sunday evening depending on crowd movement and security requirements. The police are also exploring permission to deploy drones for controlled aerial surveillance, even though airspace restrictions are typically enforced during such high-security events.