Republic Day: 70,000 cops guard Delhi, high alert sounded

The national capital is under a high-security blanket this Republic Day, with over 70 companies of paramilitary forces and more than 70,000 police personnel deployed citywide, according to officials.

A six-layered security arrangement, involving 15,000 personnel, is in place in New Delhi district alone.

“More than 2,500 CCTV cameras with facial recognition and video analytics have been installed. Anti-drone systems, covering a four-kilometer radius, are deployed to counter aerial threats. Additionally, snipers are stationed on rooftops, and over 200 buildings along the parade route are sealed, including securing residential windows facing the route,” a police officer revealed.

Traffic restrictions, especially in central Delhi, were implemented starting Saturday, with state and central security forces coordinating in real-time for Sunday’s celebrations, another senior officer stated.

Approximately 15,000 security personnel have designated roles at Kartavya Path, the main operational area. Strategic locations across the city, including Kartavya Path, are manned by commando units, quick reaction teams, PCR vans, anti-sabotage squads, and SWAT teams.

“The New Delhi, Central Delhi, and North Delhi districts, where the parade will take place, have been divided into zones, each supervised by DCP or additional DCP-level officers,” the officer added.

Booths for missing persons, helpdesks, first-aid kiosks, and facilities for visitors to deposit vehicle keys have been set up.

Also Read: A timeless spectacle: Republic Day parade on Kartavya Path

As per traffic police, the parade begins at Vijay Chowk and concludes at the Red Fort, with a related event scheduled at the National War Memorial, India Gate.

The parade route includes Vijay Chowk, Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, Subhas Chandra Bose roundabout, Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhas Marg, and Red Fort.

Traffic on Kartavya Path, from Vijay Chowk to India Gate, was halted from 6 pm Saturday and will remain restricted until the parade concludes. Cross-traffic is also barred at Rafi Marg, Janpath, and Man Singh Road from 10 pm Saturday until the parade ends.

C-Hexagon-India Gate will remain closed for traffic from 9:15 am Sunday until the parade clears Tilak Marg.

Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms—including paragliders, UAVs, microlight aircraft, hot-air balloons, quadcopters, and similar devices—is banned over Delhi until February 1.

Heavy transport and light goods vehicles from other states are barred from entering Delhi until the parade concludes.

Meanwhile, metro services will remain operational at all stations for commuter convenience throughout.

(With inputs from PTI)