Indian army soldiers stand guard on Kartavya Path, ahead of the annual Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Friday.
| Photo Credit: AP

Over 70 units of paramilitary forces and more than 15,000 police personnel have been deployed across the Capital for the Republic Day celebrations to be held on Sunday, an officer said.

The Capital will be monitored by drones and CCTV surveillance, and cyber-specialist officers will be deployed to oversee operations, he added. 

“We have already installed multi-layered security arrangements. We have six layers of checking and frisking arrangements. Apart from this, we will have multi-layered barricading. We have several thousand CCTV cameras installed in the New Delhi district, including those with Facial Recognition Systems (FRS),” the officer said. He added that moving vehicles with FRS system will also be deployed.

The officer said the cameras that have been installed are linked to a database to identify criminals immediately and that the city’s police are prepared to tackle any situation that arises.

The officer further added that police teams are conducting mock drills with multiple security agencies.

Another officer said approximately 4,000 rooftop security points have been identified in New Delhi, North, and Central districts as part of the security measures.

Attendees of the Republic Day parade will receive security stickers, and about 500 high-resolution Artificial Intelligence-enabled cameras with FRS are being installed along the route and nearby areas.

“The DCPs of New Delhi, Central Delhi, and North Delhi have conducted detailed route surveys, anti-sabotage checks, and increased vigilance in high-footfall areas. Special routes, drone monitoring and CCTV surveillance will help maintain law and order,” said the officer.

Further, a special meeting was also organised with the security staff of hotels and malls to ensure readiness, he said.