Watch out for these mean machines

RUN UP TO 8th AUTO EXPO 2006

Concept cars also set to be big crowd-pullers.

Closed-circuit television cameras will be part of robust security arrangements that are being made for Delhi Auto Expo where some of world's most expensive and meanest machines will vie for attention later this week.

Industry watchers say top draws at the Expo are likely to be Formula Suzuki Hayabusa, the rally Baleno, Honda's formula one car and the international rally version of the Swift.

Apart from the Alfa Romeo from the Fiat stable, visitors will also get to see the Ford Mustang, which will be on display in India for the first time. Top-end models from Audi and Volkswagen, and a new SUV from Skoda, the Yeti, too, are expected to be at this year's expo.

Besides, several concept cars are expected to be on display. These are Honda's hydrogen-powered vehicle, the FCX, and Mahindra & Mahindra's three concept vehicles "" hydrogen-powered three-wheeler HY-Alpha, a hybrid Scorpio and a voice-enabled interactive Scorpio.

Expo organisers Confederation of Indian Industry, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association are expecting a 25 per cent rise in the number of visitors compared with last year. The number is likely to cross one million, they say.

To make sure that nothing goes wrong at the expo, security at the venue, Pragati Maidan, is being beefed up. "Around 1,000 private security guards have been hired. This is apart from the police personnel," said Gurpal Singh, head of the CII's organising team.

For the first time in the history of the expo, Asia's largest, closed-circuit television cameras will be installed at 46 places.

The organisers have hired over 300 people to manage the six-day show. "While some of those hired are fresh out of college, others have some experience in the hospitality industry," Singh said.

Transportation within the premises has been taken care of by Yamaha, which has already delivered 20 of its Libero bikes for use by the organisers.