The Red Fort, venue of the Iday celebrations is seen decked up on the eve of India's Independence day in New Delhi on Sunday. (Express Photo by Amit Mehra)A multi-layered security cover and facial recognition system cameras at each entry/exit point are in place at the Red Fort where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on August 15 on the occasion of the 75th Independence Day, police said Sunday.
According to police, over 10,000 police personnel will be deployed around the monument on I-Day and 7,000 guests will be allowed for the celebrations.
Based on security inputs from agencies, police have taken several measures to ensure the event goes off without a hitch. Around 400 kite-catchers and flyers have been deployed on rooftops and other sensitive locations in North Delhi to look out for lone drones or kites. Areas near Red Fort have been marked as no-kite flying zones while anti-drone systems are also being installed.
Dependra Pathak, Special CP (Law and Order), said CrPC Section 144 has been imposed in Delhi. “Kite-catchers have been deployed with necessary equipment at strategic locations and they will prevent any kind of kite, balloon and Chinese lantern from reaching the function area. Radars will be deployed at Red Fort to counter any threats from sub-conventional aerial platforms and manned or unmanned flying objects,” he said.
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To counter possible threats from aerial platforms and unmanned aerial vehicles, a counter drone system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has been installed near Red Fort area to tackle any imminent security threats/ drones/ kites, said officials Sunday. The system comprises a drone detection and tracking radar; day and night camera with laser ranging for detection and tracking of drone target; communication channel detection & jamming system (soft kill); GPS jamming/ spoofing system (soft kill); laser-directed energy weapon system (hard kill); and command and control centre (C3) with power source for complete system.
Explained
Counter drone system
The counter drone system system, DRDO officials said, can detect and deactivate drones of any size within a 4-km radius. Officials said it can detect, track and identify airborne drones using multiple sensors. It can transfer the information to associated systems and enable counter techniques to deny them the intended operation (soft kill) and/or destroy them (hard kill). Drone detection is done using radars.
Police said high-resolution cameras and FRS equipment will be used to catch any possible suspects at the entry to the monument. The Special Cell and other units are also conducting IED checks while security checks and patrolling around hotels, guest houses, restaurants, and markets have been intensified.
“Over 1,000 cameras have been installed in North, Central, and New Delhi districts to contain aerial objects. These cameras will also help monitor the VVIP route to the monument,” said an officer.
Traffic arrangements
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Due to increased security in North, Central and New Delhi districts, police said eight roads — Netaji Subhash Marg; Lothian Road; SP Mukherjee Marg; Chandni Chowk road; Nishad Raj marg; Esplanade Road; Outer Ring Road (from Rajghat To ISBT); Ring Road (Rajghat to Y-point) — will be temporarily closed and only labelled vehicles will be allowed. Other vehicles will be blocked from 4 am to 10 am Monday. In New Delhi area, commuters have been advised to avoid Mandi House, Copernicus Marg, C-Hexagon India Gate, Sikandra Road etc.
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First published on: 14-08-2022 at 11:13:55 am