Over a dozen mock drills are being conducted by security agencies every day in and around the Red Fort area to thwart possible terror threats during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15 here
Over a dozen mock drills are being conducted by security agencies every day in and around the Red Fort area to thwart possible terror threats during the Independence Day celebrations on August 15 here.
Officials tasked to create an impregnable air-to-ground security for the event next week, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be unfurling the tricolour and addressing the nation, have deployed an assortment of over three dozen sniffer dogs and sophisticated gadgets to ensure that the event is conducted smoothly.
The security of the 17th century monument has been completely taken over by PM’s security units, both Delhi police and the Special Protection Group (SPG), and the ministry of defence from the CISF on August 8 and the fort has been completely locked out and closed for public till the Independence Day event.
A dozen mock drills like placing of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in unsuspected areas, storming of the facility by terrorists, sabotage by planting bombs and similar others are being created every day to check the preparedness of multiple security agencies deployed here like the Delhi police, CISF, ITBP, CRPF and sharpshooters of the elite National Security Guard (NSG). While an estimated 4,000 security personnel will be deployed to secure the Red Fort and its adjoining areas, almost 3,000 others have been kept on standby.
“While there are no specific alerts, general inputs and reports of a variety of terror threats are there and the agencies are preparing to effectively counter them,” a senior official said.
Security at Delhi Metro stations and the Indira Gandhi International Airport have been stepped up, they added. Delhi traffic police has also issued traffic advisory on the occasion of Independence Day function at the Red Fort, with closure of half a dozen roads and diversions on alternative routes to different destinations.
The affected stretches of six roads Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, S.P. Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg and Esplanade Road and its Link Road will be closed from 5 am to 9 am on both days, said Joint CP Garima Bhatnagar. Vehicles without parking labels for the rehearsal need to avoid Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Subhash Marg and Ring Road between Nizamuddin Bridge and ISBT bridge and take alternative route. North-South traffic will follow alternative routes from Aurobindo Marg, Connaught Place-Minto Road, Ring Road ISBT and Nizamuddin bridge.
