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I-Day: Delhi fortified

A CRPF jawan stands guard on Raisina Hill facing India Gate in New Delhi on Tuesday on the eve of the 60th anniversary of Independence. — AFP photo

New Delhi, August 14
Delhi has been turned into an impregnable fortress with a massive security blanket being thrown around the national capital for Independence Day celebrations.

Security is at its highest at the airport, railway stations and all major bus depots and other vital installations, including Parliament and celebration venue - 17th century Red Fort - where Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will unfurl the Tricolour and address the nation.

Old Delhi, where Red Fort is located, has been closed to public for the past week.

In addition, train services will also be suspended near the fort from tonight. However, flight operations will continue as per schedule.

As many as 35 companies of paramilitary forces, which is two more than the last year’s, have been deployed as part of the stepped-up security, which will specifically focus on anti-explosive checks and tight access control.

Besides stationing of sharpshooters and quick-reaction teams, and mounting of Air Force helicopter and rooftop surveillance around the fort, it will be guarded by over 10,000 security personnel.

All wings of the Delhi Police will be pressed into service, besides support from the NSG, the ITBP, the Army and the Air Force.

Special cell, special branch, commando unit and district police besides others will also be part of the security apparatus.

Air defence measures have also been taken to counter threats. Air space around the venue will be maintained as a no-fly zone. Helicopter surveillance will also be maintained on roads and high-rise buildings.

The special cell and the district police are maintaining a close watch on transport centres, taxi stands, guesthouses and other possible areas of shelter that could potentially be used by militants.

All entry and exit points in the capital will be sealed from tonight where checking has been intensified and spotters from other states have been deployed to identify miscreants.

Elaborate traffic arrangements around the fort have also been put in place for the celebrations to ensure safe and smooth flow of traffic.

Several roads leading to the fort will be closed for the general traffic from 5 am to 9 am on August 15 in Delhi.

Restrictions have been imposed on the movement of transport and passenger vehicles, including the DTC, on the Ring Road.

Interstate buses will not be allowed to ply between Maharana Pratap ISBT and Kale Khan ISBT. — UNI

I-Day function at Parliament
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 14
A function to commemorate the 60th anniversary of India’s Independence will be held in the Central Hall of Parliament House tomorrow evening.

President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Lok Sabha speaker Somnath Chatterjee will speak on the occasion.

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Khan and Ayaan Ali Khan will render compositions “Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye” and “Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram”.

Renowned poet and film personality Javed Akhtar will recite a poem, “Pandrah August’, in Hindi. It will be followed by its English translation, “Fifteen August”, by Shabana Azmi.

Pandit Jasraj will recite a geet, “Aadhi Raat Mein Suraj”, followed by National Song “Vande Mataram”.

A documentary film on Independence prepared by Lok Sabha Television Channel with parts of “Tryst with Destiny” speech by Pt Jawaharlal Nehru will be shown.

The programme will be telecast live by Doordarshan on its primary channel and by Lok Sabha Television Channel from 7.30 pm onwards.