Republic Day: Security tightened in Delhi as 70,000 personnel deployed

New Delhi: The national capital will be under heavy security for the Republic Day celebrations, with over 70,000 people deployed throughout the city, according to Delhi Police authorities.

They stated that 14,000 of the approximately 70,000 troops will be positioned at and near Kartavya Path to ensure the security of the Republic Day procession. Police have also issued an alert on traffic arrangements and limits put in place to ensure that traffic runs smoothly on Friday in the city.

Extensive arrangements have been made for the safety and security of the 77,000 invitees expected at Kartavya Path to watch this year's parade, the officials said. During a press conference on Wednesday, Special Commissioner of Police (Security) Dependra Pathak said that robust and flawless security arrangements have been put in place all around Delhi for Republic Day.

Mr Pathak said the security, traffic and district units together are working in real-time coordination with the central security agencies for the January 26 celebrations. He said about 14,000 security personnel with focussed roles and responsibilities will be deployed at the main operational area of Kartavya Path.

Commandoes, quick reaction teams, PCR vans, anti-sabotage checks and SWAT teams will be deployed at the specific strategic locations at Kartavya Path and all around the city, Pathak said, adding that the Delhi Police has prepared to tackle the aerial threats also.

Police have ensured that peace prevails in Delhi's "vulnerable" areas following Monday's consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, Mr Pathak said.

Special Commissioner of Police (Law and Order, Zone II) Madhup Tiwari said at least 77,000 invitees are expected at the parade. "We have divided the New Delhi district, where the parade will take place, into 28 zones to ensure security. Each zone is headed by the DCP or additional DCP-level officers," Mr Tiwari said. Booths for missing persons, helpdesks, first-aid kiosks and separate facilitation booths where the visitors can deposit their vehicle keys before the parade has been set up, he stated.

Mr Tiwari also requested the people to reach the venue on time and cooperate with the security personnel during the thorough checking that will take place. On the question of checking shoes at the entry point, Mr Tiwari said "frisking" will take place.

According to the traffic advisory, the parade will start at 10:30 am from Vijay Chowk and proceed towards the Red Fort grounds. There will be a related function at the National War Memorial, India Gate, at 9:30 am.

There will be extensive traffic arrangements and restrictions along the parade route. The parade will pass through Vijay Chowk, Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, Subhas Chandra Bose roundabout, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhas Marg and Red Fort, the advisory stated.

No traffic movement is being allowed on Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate from 6 pm on Thursday. The restrictions will continue till the parade is over. No cross-traffic will be allowed on Kartavya Path at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road from 10 pm on Thursday till the end of the parade, the advisory said.

C-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for traffic from 9.15 am on Friday till the parade crosses Tilak Marg. From 10.30 am on Friday, traffic on Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhas Marg will not be allowed, it said.

Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms such as paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), microlight aircraft, remotely-piloted aircraft, hot-air balloons, small size-powered aircraft, quadcopters or para jumping from aircraft are prohibited over the jurisdiction of Delhi till February 15. No heavy transport/light goods vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi from other states from 11 pm on Thursday till the parade is over. These vehicles will only be allowed to ply between ISBT-Sarai Kale Khan and ISBT-Kashmere Gate on the Ring Road from 7.30 am to 1.30 pm on Friday, the advisory stated.

"People who will be in possession of bona fide e-invitation cards or e-tickets for attending the Republic Day ceremony will be issued coupons on the production of government-issued identity cards at stations, which will be valid for exits from Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan stations only to reach Kartavya Path," a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) statement said.

With PTI inputs