Ambulances and doctors have been kept on stand-by and arrangements have been made for mobile toilets for the swearing in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The guest list is still being finalised, but the red carpet has been rolled out and the chairs have been laid out in the forecourt of the Rahstrapati Bhavan, where
Narendra Modi will be sworn in as India's 15th prime minister on May 26. (
Modi to Be Sworn In As India's 15th Prime Minister on May 26)
Rashtrapati Bhavan officials today met the resident commissioners of each state to coordinate the arrival of the new Members of Parliament.
"We are encouraging them to come together in a specially designated bus because if each one brings their own car, it will be very difficult (to accommodate them),'' a senior official informed NDTV. (
Modi To Be Sworn In At Rashtrapati Bhavan Forecourt: Sources)
Other than foreign dignitaries, the Rashtrapati Bhawan has issued invitations to all the ministers in the erstwhile United Progressive Alliance government, as the protocol dictates, though officials are unsure about how many of them will finally attend.
The guest list may or may not include a special delegation from Gujarat, though chief-minister-to-be
Anandiben Patel will definitely attend the ceremony. (
Modi Resigns as Gujarat Chief Minister, Anandiben To Take Over)
Another chief minister who will watch Mr Modi take his oath is Tamil Nadu's J Jayalalithaa; the Rashtrapati Bhavan has said it will be happy to welcome any other chief minister wishing to attend. (
Election Barbs Behind Them, Modi and Jayalalithaa Talk on Phone)
Initially, officials toyed with the idea of installing giant screens so that the thousands of attendees could get a bird's eye view of the proceedings. But, "that would damage the facade of the heritage building so we shelved the idea,'' said a senior official.
Chances of a power cut are remote at the President's residence, but the NDMC has been given specific instructions and two generators have been kept on stand-by to ensure that the event, scheduled to be held at 6 in the evening, does not even encounter a grid failure.
Also on stand-by are ambulances and doctors; arrangements have been made for mobile toilets.
"Whatever you could or may need, we have thought of it already,'' said the official.
Since the final guest list is yet to be confirmed, it is not clear if Mr Modi's family will attend the ceremony.