G20 Summit: 400 ‘Tourist Police’ trained in soft skills to help visitors, delegates

Approximately 400 police personnel with specialized training in interpersonal skills are set to be stationed at key tourist destinations, airports, railway stations, and interstate bus terminals (ISBTs) to assist attendees and visitors during the upcoming G20 Summit, as revealed by officials on Saturday.

These adept personnel will be dispatched to 21 strategic locations, including renowned monuments, bustling markets, revered memorials, airport terminals, ISBTs, and railway stations. The Lt Governor’s Office officials conveyed that these personnel will operate from versatile vehicles labeled as ‘Tourist Police.’

Each designated team, consisting of an Indo-Tibetan Border Police commando, a sharpshooter, and a driver, will be supervised by probationary sub-inspectors. These sub-inspectors will be responsible for leading the teams, ensuring smooth operations.

In preparation for this role, every member of the Tourist Police units has undergone a specialized training program, conducted in collaboration with Delhi Tourism and other relevant agencies. The training encompassed a range of skills, including effective communication, proficient English speaking, familiarity with the city’s geography and landmarks, as well as firearm proficiency.

The officials revealed that the units have been equipped with informative booklets detailing tourist etiquette, physical and digital maps of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), up-to-date fare and distance references for taxis, directories of significant commercial and cultural venues, malls, Metro route maps, and essential contact details for emergency services.

Earlier in April, during preliminary meetings focused on G20 Summit preparedness, Lt Governor VK Saxena directed the Delhi Police to organize a dedicated team of trained professionals to offer assistance to visitors, tourists, and delegates throughout the event, according to the officials.

To enhance visitor support, a dedicated helpline with the number 8750871111 has been established and is fully operational, as informed by officials.

The Tourist Police units will be strategically deployed at prominent locations including the Paharganj and Ajmeri Gate sections of New Delhi railway station, Hauz Khas Village, Palika Bazar, Red Fort, Janpath, Connaught Place, Rajghat, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Akshardham, Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar, India Gate, and Aerocity Mahipalpur, among other key sites.

(With PTI inputs)