With Congress President Sonia Gandhi tipped to be prime minister, security around her residence and the adjacent Congress headquarters was beefed up with deployment of additional police personnel.

Barricades were erected early this morning and hordes of policemen were deployed on Janpath and Akbar Road, curbing pedestrian and traffic movement.

Gandhi already has a Special Protection Group cover but, with the likelihood of her becoming prime minister, extra precautions are being taken, police sources said.

Yesterday, thousands of Congress workers gathered at Gandhi's 10, Janpath residence and at the Congress headquarters at Akbar Road as the party moved towards victory.

Today, Akbar Road was virtually sealed off and even party supporters not allowed entry to the area.