Delhi's 'guarded response' to Republic Day

While 35,000 armed security men will keep vigil on the parade directly in the Capital, another 18,000 are expected to lend them support

The possibility of terrorists attacking soft targets in the Capital on the 26th of January using explosives laden with radioactive material warrants a security beef-up. And authorities seem to have woken up to the threat.



Delhi is under hawk-eye vigil as the nation celebrates its 62nd Republic Day today, with thousands of gun-totting armed personnel keeping tight vigil across the city and unmanned aerial vehicles patrolling the sky.

Snipers will be deployed at high-rise buildings, while around 100 close-circuit televisions (CCTVs) will watch people's movement between Rajpath and the Red Fort, the route of the parade that showcases India's military might and cultural diversity, officials said.

The Indian Air Force has already put on alert its air defence units all across the Capital. It will also have a couple of unmanned aerial vehicles monitoring the parade.

Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of the National Security Guard (NSG) will be deployed at various places while paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos will keep a close watch along the route of the parade.

"All security arrangements are in place. More than 150 companies (15,000 personnel) from paramilitary and other state forces will be deployed besides the Delhi Police. Another 1,500 traffic policemen will also be on the streets," Joint Commissioner (Traffic) Satyender Garg said.

Security has also been beefed up at railway stations of the capital. Around 1,300 security personnel have been deployed at the busy New Delhi and Old Delhi railway stations.

"A total of 700 constables and 600 Home Guards, Railway Protection Force personnel, backed up by sniffer dogs and bomb disposal squads have been deputed. Gadgets like scanners and CCTVs are in place,' Additional Deputy Commissioner (Railways) BS Gujjar said.

"The vendors outside the railways stations are being thoroughly briefed about the security measures and have been asked to keep an eye. The parcel and parking lots in the premises will be emptied," he added.
Security personnel accompanied by bomb squads and sniffer dogs will also be deployed at public places like railway stations, bus stands and important buildings and markets. Security at the IGI Airport has been strengthened in coordination with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).

Around a hundred sniffer dogs would be on duty, said an official. A multi-layer security ring is already put in place at Rajpath, where President Pratibha Patil will unfurl the national flag and take the salute from the armed forces contingents.

"Special emphasis is being laid on anti-sabotage checks, access control measures and intelligence coordination. The entire route of the parade will be covered by special security and anti-terror arrangements," said another police official who is part of security arrangements.

20,000
Delhi police personnel are on duty today

15,000
Paramilitary force personnel have also been deployed