Independence Day and Janmashtami coincide; security beefed up at markets, borders and temples

With Independence Day and Janmashtami coinciding this year, the Capital is cloaked in a thick security blanket to thwart any attempts by terrorist groups.

Spotlight on Red Fort

The Red Fort will be the centre of attention as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses the nation on the 71st Independence Day in the presence of a huge gathering. The Delhi Police have deployed close to 10,000 personnel, who will be assisted by teams from the Central Armed Police Forces squads and others, to ensure foolproof security in and around the venue where senior Cabinet Ministers and other dignitaries will be present.

Also, a special team of National Security Guard (NSG) snipers and commandos will be positioned inside the Red Fort. Apart from this, the Prime Minister’s motorcade will be monitored with the help of CCTV cameras when it makes its way from his official residence to the venue.

Additional deployment

The measures are part of the overall security arrangements in the Capital where as many as 70,000 personnel will be on duty. Special checks and restrictions have been put in place in markets and around the city’s borders.

Also, additional deployment has been ensured in and around major temples in the city where special programmes will be organised on occasion of Janmashtami.

Parakram vans on call

The police are also pressing into service 24 Parakram vans, which are manned by NSG-trained drivers and commandos. Of these, 11 will be positioned around the Red Fort while the remaining vans will be stationed at areas that see heavy footfall.

“We have put adequate arrangements in place. All district heads and SHOs are on high alert and working round the clock. Other than ground security, anti-aircraft guns have also been kept ready to thwart any attempts from the air. Our men are working 24x7 and have been briefed about the requirements,” said Delhi Police spokesperson Madhur Verma.

Another officer added that a security audit of residents, including tenants had been completed.

Traffic restrictions

A traffic advisory has already been issued to inform commuters that India Gate’s C-Hexagon and the roads leading to it, apart from some other routes, will be out of bounds for a few hours on Tuesday.

Metro services, meanwhile, will run as per schedule. However, entry and exit at stations like Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Delhi Gate and ITO will be limited to some gates owing to security considerations.

Minor impact on Metro

Additionally, services between Indraprastha and Mandi House on the Blue Line will be put on hold briefly when the Prime Minister’s motorcade crosses Tilak Marg and Bahadurshah Zafar Marg. Also, the Delhi Metro has decided to open an additional ticket counter at Lal Quila, Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk stations, read a statement issued by the DMRC.