Operation Sindoor flag, tiered seating among firsts at this year's event at Red Fort

Indian Express

3 days ago

A special flag to symbolically honour Operation Sindoor, an Under Vehicle Surveillance System (UVSS) amid heightened security measures, a tiered seating arrangement so that can guests can have a better view of the ceremony, and interlocking pavements for better movement of vehicles and visitors: these are the among the firsts for the Independence Day ceremony this year at Red Fort in Delhi.
Operation Sindoor was initiated on May 7 this year in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 citizens. It showcased a calibrated, tri-services response, according to the government, and a targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC) and deeper inside Pakistan.
In a symbolic gesture, the valour of the forces will be highlighted during the celebrations on August 15 at the Red Fort, said officials.
In the run-up to 79th Independence Day, the Delhi Police has already stepped up the security arrangements at the Red Fort. With the officers frp, the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) on senior police deployment, a two-layered ring security system has been put in place, starting Sunday.
Around 15,000 personnel of the Delhi Police will be deployed at the Red Fort and the surrounding precinct, officers highlighted.
Large-scale mock emergency exercises, hotel inspections, and increased patrolling are among the measures that are already being implemented, said officers. Snipers, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) commandos, drones, and 700 AI-enabled CCTV cameras with facial recognition facility will also be a part of the security arrangements.
Specialised cameras can count the visitors and lens blockers obstruct visual access to the high-security targets, said officers, elaborating on the arrangements.
Along with the traditional undercarriage checks using a mirror, an officer said, the Delhi Police will be using the UVSS to scan the underside of the vehicles for hazardous substances.
In another first, bleacher seating system or a tiered seating arrangement will be in place this time. The space-efficient seating system — which is seen in stadiums — will ensure that the guests can have a better and orderly view of the celebration, said officers.
To curb logistical issues that plagued the ceremony in the last few years, such as waterlogging, the authorities have sought assistance from the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to install interlocking pavements. This will help the authorities to accommodate up to 2,000 parked cars and ease pedestrian movement.
On August 15, Delhi Police will also deploy 'kite-catchers' to make sure that stray kites do not move into restricted airspace over the Red Fort.
The officers will be on high alert in a bid to ensure a clear flying zone.