City to be garrisoned for I-Day

The national capital is all set to be garrisoned for the 79th Independence Day, with the Delhi Police planning heavy deployment to ensure foolproof security.

Over 10,000 police personnel and 3,000 traffic police officers will stand guard across the city with the support from hi-tech surveillance systems, including Under-Vehicle Surveillance Systems (UVSS), Facial Recognition Systems (FRS), and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras.

In a first-ever move, under-vehicle surveillance systems will be installed at five parking zones near the Red Fort to scan the underside of vehicles for explosives, weapons or prohibited items.

The system uses cameras and scanners to detect threats or anomalies, strengthening security at checkpoints and sensitive locations.

According to a senior police officer, in addition to physical deployment, the Red Fort and surrounding areas will be monitored through CCTV cameras, drone detection systems and facial recognition technology.

Entry to the iconic monument on August 15 will be strictly by invitation, and only marked vehicles will be permitted in the vicinity.

Headcount cameras will track crowd size, devices will flag unattended or suspicious objects and intrusion detection cameras will monitor restricted areas.

Notably, in a meeting with senior officials, Police Commissioner SBK Singh had instructed Special Commissioners of Police (Law and Order) and Deputy Commissioners to maintain strict surveillance in their respective jurisdictions.

Snipers and rooftop surveillance teams will guard high-rise buildings near the Red Fort, while movement in restricted areas will be strictly controlled through access management systems.

In addition to multiple security drills, night patrols, and increased foot patrolling, plainclothes surveillance teams are being deployed, particularly in sensitive areas, to bolster on-ground presence.

Cyber units are also closely monitoring social media platforms to detect and neutralise any potential online threats or misinformation that could disrupt peace.

Kites will not be allowed in and around the Red Fort and flying of drones has also been restricted.

On August 15, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the nation in celebrating Independence Day from the historic Red Fort in Delhi. He will hoist the National Flag and address the nation from the ramparts of the iconic monument.

Hi-tech surveillance systems

Under Vehicle Surveillance System: It is a technology that allows for thorough inspection of a vehicle's underside to detect potential threats or contraband. Earlier, handheld mirrors were used to scan the underground of a vehicle. This process was time-consuming, prone to human error and offered limited visibility, especially in the middle of the vehicle. However, using UVSS leaves no error. This will be used for the first time as part of the security arrangements at the Red Fort at five parking zones to scan the underside of vehicles for explosives, weapons, or prohibited items.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras: It is a technology that uses specialised cameras and software to automatically identify and read vehicle licence plates. The use of these cameras will allow for effective traffic management and help in detecting unauthorized entry.

Facial Recognition System: It is integrated with CCTV cameras and other surveillance systems to analyse footage and identify individuals, comparing faces against a database of known criminals and other individuals of interest.