Over 50,000 to guard Delhi on Republic Day

New Delhi, Jan 24: Over 50,000 security men, including those drawn from paramilitary forces, would guard the national capital on Republic Day (Jan 26).

Over 45,000 Delhi Armed Police personnel and about 5,000 of the paramilitary forces are being deployed and would turn core of New Delhi — the seat of power of the central government within Delhi – into an impregnable fortress.

Over 35,000 armed security men would keep vigil on the Republic Day Parade route from the sprawling Vijay Chowk at the foo0t of the Raisina Hill to the historic Red Fort seven km away.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is to be the chief guest at this year’s celebrations.

"We have no security threat in the national capital pertaining to the R-Day celebrations this year. However, we are fully prepared with security vigilance as like in other years," said a police official.

The officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told IANS the whole of central and New Delhi areas would have tight security and other areas of the national capital would be kept under surveillance.

He said all high-rise buildings along then parade route, railway and Metro stations, bus stops and termninuses and airports have come under security cover.

"Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) will be deployed for surveillance from 5 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. to secure the air as air force fighter planes are to put up a spectacular show during the fly-past," said the official.

The airspace over the capital will remain closed for an hour from 11.15 a.m. to 12.15 p.m.

"The UAVs will keep an eye not only on the parade route but the entire city," the official said.

Around 500 men of the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF), 15 companies or 1,500 men of the Central Reserve Police Force and the elite National Security Guards would be deployed in the city.

At least 700 additional CISF men will man Metro stations and over 5,000 other men of the force would guard the airport terminals.

Over 400 CCTV cameras have been installed between Rajpath and the Red Fort.

President Pranab Mukherjee would unfurl the Tricolour and take salute of the marching contingents at Rajpath.

No vehicle would be allowed on Rajpath from 6 p.m. Jan 25 and vehicular movement would be restricted on Tilak Marg, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg and Netaji Subhash Marg up to Red Fort from 4 a.m. Jan 26 until after the parade is over.