Republic Day security gets major upgrade post-attack

Leaving no stone unturned to ensure safety of residents in the aftermath of the November 10 suicide car blast, the Delhi Police are set to surround the Republic Day parade zone with an unprecedented layer of smart surveillance. The arrangement would feature tripwire movement–alert cameras and perimeter and intrusion detection systems capable of flagging threats the moment they unfold.

The Tribune has learnt the force has proposed to hire a fleet of 2MP and 4MP IP-based CCTV systems with advanced video analytics, which will be installed across North, Central, New Delhi, and North-West districts—the core theatre for Republic Day security operations.

According to officers, police plan to deploy a mix of 80% 2MP cameras and 20% 4MP cameras, with the higher-resolution equipment covering key strategic locations identified by district DCPs.

These cameras are equipped with an analytics layer to instantly detect and report suspicious activity. Tripwire alerts will enable monitoring teams to be notified the moment a person or vehicle crosses a virtual boundary around sensitive stretches.

"The perimeter and intrusion detection feature will work in tandem, ensuring that any breach of restricted areas -- whether a deliberate attempt or an accidental crossover -- is captured and escalated immediately," the officer told The Tribune.

In addition, the system includes abandoned-object detection, a crucial capability since the bombing, enabling cameras to flag unattended bags or vehicles within seconds.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will help trace suspicious vehicles moving towards the parade routes, while people-counting tools will assist in monitoring crowd build-up.

The officer informed that they are also procuring CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition technology that will allow command centres to quickly identify flagged individuals within large gatherings. For real-time pursuit and zoomed surveillance, PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) and fixed cameras will work together to track moving targets without missing critical frames.

A senior police officer said that while CCTV deployment is routine for Republic Day, “this year’s grid is being built with a radically heightened threat perception because of the November 10 blast".

The surveillance layer will blanket key stretches, including Kartavya Path, VIP approach lanes, areas of high footfall, parking zones and several blind spots.

“Every entry–exit corridor and sensitive movement zone will have live visual monitoring with instant alerts,” an official involved in the preparations said.

Authorities believe that the analytics-driven cameras will drastically reduce response time. Tripwire sensors will instantly highlight unauthorised movement, while intrusion detection systems will help prevent any attempt to breach barricades or force entry -- a major concern since the November 10 blast.

The command centres will also benefit from the automated tagging of suspicious vehicles and faces, enabling quicker coordination between ground teams and intelligence agencies.

Investigators found that the November 10 bomber crossed several checkpoints without raising alarms, exposing critical gaps. The expanded, AI-driven monitoring network now planned aims to plug every such vulnerability.

“The suicide attack has fundamentally altered our threat projection. This year’s grid will be deeper, sharper, and analytics-heavy,” a senior officer said.

With Republic Day less than two months away, procurement and installation are being fast-tracked. The system is expected to be fully operational ahead of the first parade rehearsal. “The priority is to have the entire grid tested and live well before January 26,” the officer added.