Security boosted ahead of low-key I-day celebration
India reports 64,553 coronavirus cases, taking the tally to 2.4m; death toll mounts to 48,040 as 1,007 more die; Pranab responds to ‘external stimuli and treatment’
India will mark its 74th Independence Day on Saturday in a subdued manner, without the usual celebrations, since the COVID-19 pandemic is raging on.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the ramparts of the Mughal-era Red Fort - the 7th time that he will be doing it. That will also be his second speech of the second term in office.
Even as the celebrations remain rather muted, Modi is expected to deliver a significant speech.
Massive security is already in place, especially because of intelligence inputs of a percieved terror threat. Around 4,000 security personnel will guard the Red Fort area. Over 2,000 snipers will be deputed at specific locations on high-rises in around 5km periphery of the Red Fort.
There will be a guard of honour by the armed forces and the Delhi Police to the prime minister. Modi will be unfurling of the national flag and the 21-gun salute will be there, following which he will speak. The release of tricoloured balloons will also be there.
Officials even Delhiites will have to watch the event on television. Traffic will be blocked with the closure of Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road and its Link Road to Netaji Subhash Marg, Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT and Outer Ring Road from ISBT to IP flyover.
Trains will not move between 6.45am to 8.45am on Saturday on particular tracks near the Red Fort.
Flying of sub-conventional aerial plaforms like para-gliders, para-motors, hang gliders, UAVS, micro light aircrat, remotely piloted aircrat, hot air balloons, small size powered aircrat, quadcopters or para-jumping from aircrat etc. are prohibited over the jurisdiction of National Capital Territory of Delhi.
India’s coronavirus tally on Friday crossed 2.4 million. There were 64,553 new cases during the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said. The death toll went up to 48,040 as 1,007 fatalities were added.
The ministry said the tally in India stands at 24,61,191, of 6,61,595 are active cases. The recovery rate of the country has increased to 71.16 per cent as 17,51,556 have recovered and discharged from hospitals. India has added 400,000 cases in a week’s time ater crossing the two million mark on Aug.7. Statewise, the ministry data showed that: Maharashtra, sharing almost 40% deaths, recorded 413 new COVID-19 deaths on Thursday, taking its overall toll to 19,063. In just 13 days of August, Maharashtra has recorded 4,069 deaths due to coronavirus, 58 per cent of what it had recorded in July and 74 per cent in June.
Mumbai saw 48 deaths on Thursday, taking the city’s toll to 6,991.
In Karnataka, the ministry data showed 6,700 new cases on Thursday, adding up over 200,000. The state thus takes the fourth place ater Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. More than half of the cases in Karnataka are still concentrated in Bengaluru, while Mysuru, Bellary, Kalaburgi and Dakshina Kannada are the other badly-affected districts.
Andhra Pradesh’s coronavirus tally is over 264,000 while the death toll in the state has reached to 2,378. Delhi reported 956 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, taking the national capital’s tally to 1,49,460 while the death toll has climbed to 4,167.
Bengal had a spike of 2,997 new cases ater the state conducted a record 30,032 tests. The state’s caseload currently stands at 1,07,323 it reported 56 new deaths, which took the toll to 2,259.
Bihar also carried out a record number of over 100,000 Covid-19 tests in the last 24 hours, and 3,906 fresh cases were reported.
Former president Pranab Mukherjee’s vital parameters remains stable and is “responding to external stimuli and treatment,” his son Abhijit Mukherjee said on Friday. He added that the “96hour observation period will end on Friday.” Earlier doctors said Mukherjee’s condition remained unchanged on Friday and he continues to be on ventilator support.
Mukherjee, 84, has been on ventilator support following a surgery of a clot in brain on Monday, ahead of which he was diagnosed with COVID-19. The Army’s Research and Referral (R&R) Hospital said Mukherjee’s condition remains critical, and he continues to be on ventilator support.