City put under tight security for Independence Day celebrations

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 14

Ground-to-air security has been tightened in and around the national Capital, including the historic Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on the 71st Independence Day tomorrow.

All the vehicles entering from neighbouring states are being checked thoroughly in the presence of heavy security on borders.

Close to 70,000 personnel will be guarding the national Capital owing to the celebrations, a senior police officer said.

About 9,100 personnel have been deployed in and around the historic Mughal fort which will see the presence of senior ministers, top bureaucrats, foreign dignitaries and common people during the PM's address.

Two dozen Parakram Vans manned by quick reaction teams of NSG-trained commandos have been stationed in areas with high footfall to thwart any attempt by terror groups to disrupt peace. As many as 11 such vans have been deployed in the area around the Red Fort.

"There will be multi-tier security in place. The security audit of the residents, including tenants has been completed. The area is being monitored by CCTV cameras and there will be multi-tier security checks in place for people coming to the area," the officer said.

At the Red Fort, a special team of NSG snipers and commandos will form the inner layers of the security cordon while anti-aircraft guns have been deployed to thwart any aerial intrusion by objects like drones and projectiles, he said.

The police have already prohibited aerial activities, including para-gliding, flying UAVs and hot air balloons, across the city.

Besides, the police are surveying the areas in the vicinity of the Red Fort and have collected details of over 9,000 people residing there. The buildings facing the Red Fort will be secured by police and paramilitary personnel.

Security along the route to be taken by the Prime Minister's cavalcade from his official residence to the Red Fort will be monitored with the help of hundreds of CCTV cameras.

Special "spotters" of the police and paramilitary will keep an eye on parking areas. Over 60 sniffer dogs of paramilitary forces and the police will also be part of the extensive security deployment.

Security around prominent temples like the Iskcon temple, Lakshmi Narayan temple and the Gouri Shankar temple has been ramped up since large congregations of devotees are expected on Janmashtami festival, the birthday of Lord Krishna.

According to a statement by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), train services will run as usual. However, stations like Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate and ITO will have restricted entry and exit during the ceremony owing to security considerations. Parking will not be available at the stations till 2 pm tomorrow in view of the security measures, a spokesperson for the DMRC said.