Tight security ahead of Independence Day, aerial activities prohibited

North Block (left) and Parliament House (right) are lit up on the eve of the 70th Independence Day in New Delhi. (Photo: Biplab Banerjee)

Thousands of heavily-armed security personnel have been deployed around the historic Red Fort on the occasion of the Independence Day to pre-empt any untoward incident during the celebrations. The historic fort will host senior ministers, top bureaucrats and foreign dignitaries, besides a large audience to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 70th Independence Day speech.

An impregnable ground-to-air security apparatus has been put in place, especially near Red Fort, with around 200 CCTVs installed in and around the venue for monitoring suspicious activities. Sharpshooters of the NSG have been deployed on high-rises near the Mughal era monument and specialised units, such as quick reaction teams, have also been deployed.

A multi-layer security has also been thrown around Rajpath, where a seven-day cultural festival, Bharat Parv, is underway. All the government buildings, incl-uding North Block and So-uth Block, were illuminated after sunset in the run up to the August 15 celebrations.

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

The Delhi police has already prohibited aerial activities, including para-gliding, flying UAVs and hot air balloons, across the city till October 10.

Also, the police is surveying the areas in the vicinity of the Red Fort and has collected details of over 9,000 people residing there. The buildings facing the Red Fort will be secured by police and paramilitary personnel. Entry and exit to the Metro stations near Red Fort will be closed till the Prime Minister is present at the venue.

Panoramic photography will be used to ensure a clo-se watch on 605 balconies and 104 windows that open towards Red Fort. Security agencies have also marked out over 3,000 trees in the area, said the officials.

Army and NSG officials will run a special communication and command centre to keep a close watch on the proceedings of the day at the Red Fort.

Special measures will be taken to meet on-the-spot situations such as the Prime Minister choosing to meet people at the venue as he previously did twice, the officials said.

Security along the route to be taken by the Prime Minister’s cavalcade from 7 Race Course Road to the Red Fort will be monitored with the help of hundreds of CCTV cameras.