Article Posted on : - Feb 01, 2016

VISAKHAPATNAM (PTI): Preparations are in full swing for the International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held in Visakhapatnam from February 4 to 8.

Security has been beefed up for the mega event which will see participation of top naval officials from across the globe, officials from Visakhapatnam district administration said.

"54 countries have confirmed their participation. 24 warships from foreign countries and 24 foreign Naval chiefs, 90 foreign delegates will be attending IFR", Naval sources said on Saturday.

President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will attend the event.

District Collector Visakhapatnam N Yuvraj reviewed the arrangements at the beach road and at the galleries which have the capacity to accommodate 20,000 spectators.

"Mukherjee would review the fleet on February 6. INS Sumitra, an indigenously built Naval offshore patrol vessel would be the Presidential Yacht and lead the President Column," Naval sources added.

However, they said the events will commence on February 4 with Chandrababu Naidu laying a wreath at the War Memorial at Rama Krishna beach in Visakhapatnam in remembrance of the martyrs of the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

Naidu will also inaugurate the maritime exhibition, which will showcase various entrepreneurs in the maritime domain, they said.

During the IFR, Modi is also scheduled to address the gathering and also release a book on the maritime heritage of India.

On February 7, a two-day 'International Maritime Conference' would be inaugurated by Parrikar on the theme 'partnering together for a secure maritime future'.

"On the same evening, there will be operational demonstration followed by 'International City Parade' which would include marching contingents and bands from the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard," they added.

IFR will conclude on February 8 with a joint international band concert at the Naval Officers Institute followed by a closing ceremony, they added.

From security viewpoint, 15,000 police personnel will be deployed and use of drones have been banned, City Police Commissioner Amit Garg said.

"All NGOs, organisations and individuals have been banned from using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones in the city from January 27 to February 9," he said.

Police said personnel from National Security Guards, Special Protection Group (SPG) and other Paramilitary forces will also be deployed.