Delhi: Red Fort gets a facelift ahead of Independence Day

The historic Red Fort is currently undergoing renovation in preparation for the 77th Independence Day celebrations.

An official from the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) Delhi circle told Patriot that multiple renovation projects are underway at the monument.

“The painting work of the monument is currently ongoing along with whitewashing of outer boundary walls of Red Fort,” said the official.

Additionally, repairs are being carried out on grill doors and gates, with these structures also receiving a fresh coat of brown paint wherever necessary. Efforts are also on to replace missing or broken red sandstones of the monument.

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“Retouching and painting of the moat walls are in progress. The drainage system for rainwater clearance has been cleaned, and overgrown grass is being cleared,” the ASI official added.

Repair work on red sandstone flooring of pathways at the August 15 Park is also underway.

“A portion of the park’s wall has fallen in recent rains. It will be repaired soon,” he said adding, “Red Fort’s Chhatta Chowk is also undergoing lime punning work to enhance its beauty.”

With over 250 workers of ASI working on the makeover, the department has been tasked to finish the work in the first week of August.

The fort is also being illuminated fully for the first time on this Independence Day. Every year on August 15, the Indian Prime Minister hoists Tricolour from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi – a tradition started by India’s first-ever PM Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947 when the country gained independence.

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Security has been beefed up near the Red Fort with police saying that spotters, face recognition system (FRS), CCTV cameras and drones are already part of the plan of arrangements.

The authorities have also planned to deploy more than 10,000 security personnel, including paramilitary forces, around the Red Fort and other crucial locations.