Massive security cover for Independence Day in national capital

NEW DELHI:Thousands of armed security personnel today kept a hawk-eyed vigil over the capital, especially around the Red Fort and surrounding areas where Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag and delivered his maiden Independence Day address to the nation.

Police installed around 200 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in the vicinity of the Red Fort while about 500 have been installed on all routes leading to the 17th Century fort.

Besides around 5,000 personnel from the local police, those from the Special Cell and Security wing of the Delhi Police were also pressed into service for security arrangements while the traffic police took care of smooth vehicular movement.

In a first for Independence Day security arrangements, two high-resolution cameras, costing Rs 2.5 crore each have been mounted at the two burjs (towers) of Red Fort to keep tab on any suspicious activity in a four-km radius of the Mughal era monument.

"There are only two such cameras in the country which have been hired by the Delhi Police at Rs 50,000 per day from Mumbai. They have been mounted on two burjs of the Red Fort. We can even zoom in on a housefly in the radius of four kms with them," said a senior police official.

The cameras, which were mounted yesterday, are more powerful than those used by television broadcasters.

The live feed from the cameras will be closely monitored at the Delhi Police command room. An official from the NSG has also been deployed to watch the feed so that he can instruct the snipers at high rises if the need arises.

"A fool-proof security plan is in place and we are prepared for any eventuality. People from the general public are requested to cooperate," said a senior Delhi Police official.

Sharpshooters of NSG and spotters were deployed on the high-rises near the 17th century Mughal fort.

Specialised units like Quick Reaction Teams, bomb squad, dog squad, SWAT and Vajra were deployed along with the commando units of Delhi Police at strategic locations, police said.

Besides the patrolling of the skies by helicopters, an air defence mechanism were put in place around the venue. Heightened security was put in place along the route taken by the Prime Minister's cavalcade and around Rajghat, where he laid a wreath at the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi early morning.

A central control room has been set up at the Red Fort where senior officials will constantly monitor the situation.

Only those vehicles carrying parking stickers were allowed on the routes in the vicinity of the Red Fort.

Additional manpower from CISF and Delhi Police have been deployed at important public facilities like Delhi Metro and IGI Airport in addition to crowded areas like market places, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals and other establishments of strategic importance.

"Special checking of all vehicles, both private and commercial, entering Delhi from neighbouring states through border entry points is being carried out," police officials said.

Security agencies are constantly reviewing arrangements at Red Fort and have zeroed in on the 'safe houses' where the Prime Minister and other leaders could be taken in case the need for the same arises, they said.

Visitors were not allowed to carry mobile phones, cameras, binoculars, handbags, briefcases and water bottles etc to the venue.