Delhi colour-codes barricades to mark its high-security areas
Bold red and black barricades have replaced the old yellow portable metal barriers that form a security cordon in the Capital’s high-alert areas such as Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Rajpath, and Red Fort.
Delhi Police have ditched the sunshine yellow to embrace the bold shades in a new colour code to mark out the highly-sensitive, high-security areas in the city.
More colours could be added to the code to classify areas based on their strategic importance.
“The idea to put red barricades was that it will be more aesthetically appealing and that it would demarcate that particular area as a high-security zone,” a senior police officer said.
“Red signifies a sense of urgency. It gives an impression that the area is on high alert … so we chose this colour for all the important areas, including Parliament.”
Altogether 45 red barriers have been placed in and around Rajpath, the city’s ceremonial boulevard leading from India Gate to Rashtrapati Bhawan. About 90 similar crimson barricades form the first line of defence at the Mughal-era Red Fort, a much-visited monument that is said to be vulnerable to a possible terrorist attack.
The police headquarters have 18 black barricades with the words “Delhi Police” written across in white, and replete with yellow reflectors.
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