'SAP Center's security for PM Modi's address tighter than airport'

San Jose: As thousands of Indian-Americans are scheduled to arrive at the SAP Center in San Jose to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address, they will have to go through a security screening which organisers claimed is tighter than that of an airport.

"It (security screening) is tighter than that of airport security. In airport security, magneto meters are a little bit low. In that case you can pass 1,000 people per hour. Here only 500 people would be able to pass through the magnetometer per hour," Convener of Indo-American Community of West Coast Khande Rao Kand said yesterday.

Enough magnetometers have been installed at the Center to facilitate faster screening process, he said, adding that because of the heightened security threat, there needs to be tighter screening process.
"The excitement is growing, volunteers are swelling. People who were not even associated before they are coming forward," Rao said.

Over 1200 volunteers are engaged in making preparations for the event for which a record 18,500 tickets have been distributed, he said.

Just like the Madison Square Garden, the center stage would be a rotating one from where Modi will be speaking.

"It is going to be a life time memorable event for the Indian-Americans of the area," Rao said.

Before Modi's address, a colorful cultural evening has been planned with performances from local Indian-Americans. Bollywood playback singer Kailash Kher is also scheduled to perform.