- Monday, May 20, 2024
French president Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at this year’s ceremony.
By: Shubham Ghosh
MORE than 70,000 personnel will be on duty in the Indian capital on Friday (26) when the country will observe its 75th Republic Day. According to the city police, of the 70,000-strong force, 14,000 personnel will be deployed at and around Kartavya Path (Path of Responsibility) for the security of the parade that will take place on the day marking 74 years since the constitution of the country came into effect.
Police have also issued advisory on traffic arrangements and restrictions put in place for the smooth conduct of traffic on Friday in the city.
Extensive arrangements have been made for the safety and security of 77,000 invitees expected at Kartavya Path to watch this year’s parade, the officials said.
Read: French president reaches India’s Jaipur ahead of Republic Day celebrations
French president Emmanuel Macron will be the chief guest at this year’s ceremony.
During a press conference on Wednesday (24), a top police official said that robust and flawless security arrangements have been put in place all around Delhi for the occasion.
He said various wings of the law-keepers were working in tandem to ensure that the celebrations go smoothly.
Read: British Sikhs urge France’s Macron to pull out of India’s Republic Day parade
Commandos, quick reaction teams, police vehicles, anti-sabotage check and SWAT teams will be deployed at the specific strategic locations at Kartavya Path and all around the city, he said, adding that the Delhi Police has prepared to tackle aerial threats also.
Police have ensured that peace prevails in Delhi’s “vulnerable” areas following Monday’s consecration ceremony at the Ram temple in the holy town of Ayodhya in the northern state of West Bengal, he added.
Another official said at least 77,000 invitees are expected at the parade.
Booths for missing persons, helpdesks, first-aid kiosks and separate facilitation booths where the visitors can deposit their vehicle keys before the parade have been set up, he stated.
Tiwari also requested the people to reach the venue on time and cooperate with the security personnel during the thorough checking that will take place.
According to a traffic advisory, the parade will start at 10.30 am local time from Vijay Chowk and proceed towards the Red Fort grounds. There will be a related function at the National War Memorial, India Gate, at 9.30 am.
No traffic movement is being allowed on Kartavya Path from Vijay Chowk to India Gate from 6 pm on Thursday. The restrictions will continue till the parade is over. No cross-traffic will be allowed on Kartavya Path at Rafi Marg, Janpath, Man Singh Road from 10 pm on Thursday till the end of the parade, the advisory said.
C-Hexagon-India Gate will be closed for traffic from 9.15 am on Friday till the parade crosses Tilak Marg. From 10.30 am on Friday, traffic on Tilak Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhas Marg will not be allowed, it said.
Flying of sub-conventional aerial platforms such as paragliders, paramotors, hang gliders, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), microlight aircraft, remotely-piloted aircraft, hot-air balloons, small size-powered aircraft, quadcopters or para-jumping from aircraft are prohibited over the jurisdiction of Delhi till February 15.
No heavy transport/light goods vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi from other states from 11 pm on Thursday till the parade is over.
Events and celebrations to commemorate the occasion will be held across the country.
(With PTI inputs)
