Thousands of armed security personnel today kept a hawk-eyed vigil over the capital, especially around the Red Fort and surrounding areas where Prime Minister Narendra Modi unfurled the national flag and delivered his Independence Day address to the nation.
Thousands of security personnel, including 5,000 men from Delhi Police, were deployed to ensure foolproof security in and around the historic Mughal fort which saw the presence of senior ministers, top bureaucrats, foreign dignitaries and common people.
A multi-layer security cover was also thrown around Rajpath where a seven-day cultural festival 'Bharat Parv' is underway. All the government buildings, including North Block and South Block, are being illuminated after sunset.
At the Red Fort, a special team of NSG snipers and commandos formed the inner layers of the security cordon while anti-aircraft guns were deployed to thwart any aerial intrusion by objects like drones and projectiles, senior police officials said.
Delhi Police had prohibited aerial activities, including para-gliding, flying UAVs and hot air balloons, across the city till October 10.
Also, police surveyed the areas in the vicinity of the Red Fort and collected details of over 9,000 people residing there. The buildings facing the monument were secured by police and paramilitary personnel.
Entry and exit gates of metro stations near the Red Fort were closed till the Prime Minister was at the venue.
Panoramic photography was used to ensure a close watch on 605 balconies and 104 windows that open towards it. Security agencies had also marked out over 3,000 trees in the area, said the officials.
Army and NSG officials ran a special communication and command centre to keep a close watch on the proceedings of the day at the Red Fort.
Security along the route taken by the Prime Minister's cavalcade from 7 RCR to Red Fort was monitored with the help of hundreds of CCTV cameras.
Besides, 200 CCTVs and two high-mast, high-resolution cameras, managed by three control rooms, kept under observation the Red Fort premises.
Special spotters of Delhi Police and paramilitary kept an eye on parking areas. Over 60 sniffer dogs of paramilitary forces and Delhi Police were also be part of the extensive security arrangement.
Preliminary security arrangements were made in July and senior police and intelligence officials regularly updated them to weed out any shortcomings and glitches.
