10 Facts About President Obama's Republic Day Outing

President Obama will be on an open air platform at Rajpath for more than two hours for the Republic Day parade - the longest ever for a US president. A bullet-proof shield could protect the VVIP enclosure this time.

The maximum time an American president usually spends outside is 45 minutes and reports say his security officers are not happy about the duration of the Republic Day parade.A power-point presentation on the show has been given to US officials.

The show's length has reportedly been extended because of the American President's visit. The number of tableaux may be more than last year's 20, say Indian officials.

India has reportedly rejected the US demand for a "no fly" zone over Rajpath as it would mean no fly-past, one of the main draws of the Republic Day ceremony.

President Obama is expected to follow protocol and forgo his own bulletproof car - known as the "Beast" - to ride to the venue with President Pranab Mukherjee.

The 18-feet long, 8 ton presidential car can withstand bombs and bullets, has shred and puncture resistant tyres, night vision camera, satellite phones and a driver trained by the secret service who can perform a 180-degree turn. The car has a direct phone line to the Vice President and the Pentagon.

Metro stations and offices around the Rajpath area will be taken over 72 hours in advance at the request of US security personnel.

Snipers will be positioned and the airspace over the area will be monitored by specially set up radar.

Face recognition cameras are being installed at Delhi's entry points to help identify criminal elements and CCTV cameras will monitor the routes taken by the US president, say senior police officers.

"Obama's security is our responsibility and we should not make it a big issue," said junior home minister Kiren Rijiju.