40,000 security personnel deployed, first ever rooftop markings for Independence Day
New Delhi: Taking security measures to a new high, the Delhi Police will be adopting rooftop markings to enable unmanned aerial vehicles, choppers and CCTV cameras installed at high altitude in locating crucial spots, as nearly 40,000 security personnel have been deployed for Independence Day.
A senior police officer said, "Snipers have also been assigned designated spots in most of the 400 marked rooftops. This measure has been adopted for the first time by Delhi Police."
Security agencies have been working round the clock taking stock of the multi-layer cover in the capital against any possible terror strike.
Apart from ground-to-air security apparatus within a five kilometre radius, over 150 National Security Guard (NSG) commandos along with SWAT unit and paramilitary forces will be positioned in the radius of 200-metre from the ramparts of the Red Fort, from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation this morning.
Specialised units like Quick Reaction Teams, Bomb squad and Dog squad are being deployed along with the commando units of Delhi Police at sensitive points. A no-fly zone has been put in place besides patrolling of the skies by helicopters, according to officials.
500 CCTVs including some ultra-high resolution ones have been installed to keep a watch on any suspicious activity in and around the Red Fort. Nearly 6,000 local police personnel have been deployed at market places, airport, railway stations, inter-state bus terminals, metro stations and places of strategic importance in the capital.
Traffic will be closed on Netaji Subhash Marg, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road (from Fountain Chowk to Red Fort), Nisad Raj Marg and Link Road for general traffic between 5am to 9am today.
Anyone wanting to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Red Fort will be given a free ride by the Delhi Metro, which will start operations from 430am instead of their normal time of 530am.
