Security and civic preps in full swing for I-Day
will begin at
from Friday and continue till Aug 13. District magistrate (DM) Thiyagarajan SM made the announcement on Thursday while reviewing preparations alongside Patna SSP Karthikeya Sharma at the historic venue.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
The entire Gandhi Maidan has been divided into four zones, each to be overseen by senior officials of additional district magistrate rank. A detailed on-site review was conducted to assess arrangements for cleanliness, barricading, seating, traffic management, parade rehearsals, parking, electricity, drinking water, first aid, tableaux display, invitation cards and law and order.
To bolster surveillance, 128 CCTV cameras have been installed in and around Gandhi Maidan — 79 within the grounds and 49 surrounding it.
Also, 15 high-mast lights and 56 decorative lights have been put up to enhance visibility and aesthetics.
The DM said anti-sabotage checks would be carried out on all vehicles and equipment entering Gandhi Maidan, under the supervision of the superintendent of police from the special branch. "Vehicles will be allowed entry only after a thorough technical inspection," he said.
Traffic arrangements for Aug 15 will be managed by the superintendent of police (traffic), who will devise a comprehensive plan taking into account ongoing work by the Patna Metro Rail Corporation.
The executive engineer of the building construction department, Patna division, has been asked to ensure complete barricading in accordance with the approved map.
Special sanitation efforts will be undertaken by the Patna Municipal Corporation, which will carry out cleaning of Gandhi Maidan, its surroundings, internal and external areas as well as adjoining parks. Proper drainage arrangements will also be ensured.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
"The 79th Independence Day celebrations will be organised on a grand scale. The event will be held with full dignity and pride across the entire district," the DM said. "Invitation cards will be sent to guests, and all necessary arrangements, including the maintenance of law and order, will be ensured in a timely manner," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
5 Bangladeshi nationals detained near Red Fort amid preparations to mark Independence Day
Five Bangladeshi nationals were detained Monday after they allegedly attempted to enter the Red Fort without valid passes just days before the country's 79th Independence Day celebrations, the Delhi Police said. Intelligence agencies questioned the men to ascertain their intent and background, senior officers confirmed. According to Raja Banthia, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), North Delhi, the incident took place near the access control point of the historic monument. Security personnel deployed in the area stopped the group of five men, aged between 20 and 25 years, after they failed to produce valid entry passes. 'On enquiry, they were found to be Bangladeshi nationals who illegally came to India some three-four months ago. They were working as labourers in Delhi. They came to see the Red Fort as they were not aware that it has been closed to the public since July 15. Bangladeshi documents were found with them. On interrogation, nothing suspicious could be found. They will be deported as per law,' DCP Banthia said. The Red Fort has been closed to the public as part of routine security preparations ahead of the Independence Day celebrations. The matter has been reported to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO), and authorities have initiated the process for the deportation of the men under legal provisions. Meanwhile, seven policemen were suspended after failing to intercept a Delhi Police Special Cell team that snuck in with a dummy bomb during a mock drill at the Red Fort on Monday. Drills are being conducted across the National Capital to test security arrangements ahead of Independence Day, officers said.
Hindustan Times
14 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Gautam Budh Nagar: 28 decaying schools face demolition as infra push
GREATER NOIDA: District officials in Gautam Budh Nagar have been directed to expedite demolition of 28 dilapidated government school buildings, and ensure timely completion of infrastructure upgrades under the 'Operation Kayakalp', officials said on Monday. Also, district officials have been instructed to complete inspection and handover procedures for school buildings left vacant after the state's 'Vidyalaya Yugman' (school pairing) initiative. (HT Archives) The new district magistrate, Medha Roopam, last week instructed departments including Panchayati Raj, Public Works Department (PWD), and local development authorities to fast-track the assessment and razing of school buildings found to be structurally unsafe. Officials said 28 schools have been identified in the district to be in dilapidated condition. Of these, assessment of 16 buildings has been completed and reports submitted. The remaining 12 are expected to be evaluated by Tuesday. 'The demolition of school buildings that have gone through three rounds of auction (of reusable materials) must now be executed without delay as per the government order,' the DM said in the directive issued to local authorities and development bodies including Noida authority, Greater Noida authority, and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida). The administration is also pushing to accelerate work under the 2018 'Operation' Kayakalp', an ongoing drive to upgrade government primary schools across Uttar Pradesh, by ensuring 19 core infrastructure facilities such as boundary walls, toilets, drinking water, electricity, and furniture, officials said. 'Departments have been directed to work in close coordination to ensure that structural upgrades are completed on priority, and unsafe buildings are dealt with decisively,' the DM said, adding that there will be zero tolerance for laxity in meeting infrastructure targets under 'Kayakalp'. Also, district officials have been instructed to complete inspection and handover procedures for school buildings left vacant after the state's 'Vidyalaya Yugman' (school pairing) initiative. The initiative relates to merging or pairing nearby government schools, especially those with low student enrolment to improve resource utilisation, teacher availability, and overall quality of education. To be sure, the district has approximately 500 government primary and upper primary schools. All Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) have been asked to submit detailed reports on whether these unused buildings are in usable or dilapidated condition. The aim is to enable swift repurposing or demolition where necessary, officials said. 'We are coordinating closely with PWD and local authorities to fast-track structural assessments and repairs. Our goal is to ensure no child studies in unsafe conditions,' said district basic education officer Rahul Pawar.
Indian Express
17 hours ago
- Indian Express
7 Delhi cops ‘fail to intercept' dummy bomb during Independence Day mock drill, suspended
Seven policemen were suspended after allegedly failing to intercept a Delhi Police Special Cell team that snuck in with a dummy bomb during a mock drill at the Red Fort, officers said. Drills are being conducted across the national capital to test security arrangements ahead of Independence Day, they said. The authorities concerned will now review all security arrangements from scratch and implement an improved and revised plan, senior officers said. The seven policemen would also be subjected to a departmental inquiry, officers added. The mock drill, which exposed the security lapse, was just one among many that would be conducted in the run-up to the 79th Independence Day. Several security measures are already in place. A two-layered ring security system has been formed, comprising officers from the rank of Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP). Snipers, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos, drones, and 700 AI-enabled CCTV cameras with facial recognition facilities are also part of the arrangements. Some of the new security arrangements in place, as reported by The Indian Express on Monday, include an Under Vehicle Surveillance System. Large-scale mock emergency exercises, hotel inspections, and increased patrolling are among the measures that are already being implemented, said officers.
