25,000 personnel guard Delhi on R- Day
stone unturned to ensure that the celebrations went on peacefully.
No vehicles were allowed to ply on Rajpath from 6 pm on Friday while vehicular movement was restricted on Tilak Marg, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg upto Red Fort from 4 am.
A sunny day with a nip in the air greeted thousands of spectators gathered to witness the 64th Republic Day parade at the majestic Rajpath.
The low for the day was recorded at 6.4 º C, two degrees below normal and up by 0.8 degrees from Friday’s 5.6 º C.
Though there was a fog cover in the early hours, the thin veil gave way to the sun as the day progressed. The maximum day temperature went up to 21.4 º C, which is normal for this time of the season, and marginally up than Friday’s 21.1 º C.
Despite a fog cover early in the morning, spectators in large numbers came to Rajpath to witness the kaleidoscopic image of India’s cultural heritage and military prowess.
As the day progressed and the sun came up, it became warmer and the clear sky also helped people enjoy the flypast during the parade as the Indian Air Force helicopters and fighter jets showcasing India’s military might left the spectators spellbound. The 64th Republic Day celebrations on Saturday was conducted amidst the highest security ever, with over 25,000 police personnel, including those from paramilitary forces and sharpshooters from the elite National Security Guards ( NSG), deployed across the city.
The armed personnel kept a tight vigil to thwart any possible terror strike or any untoward incident during the celebration and were equipped with the most sophisticated weapons. While policemen kept a tab on the visuals from over 160 CCTVs between Rajpath and Red Fort, the route of the parade, snipers were on high- rises. Hundreds of police personnel kept the 8- km parade route from Rajpath to Red Fort under their watch to ensure that the event passed peacefully. Mobile hit teams, antiaircraft guns and sharpshooters of the NSG were also on the job at various places while paramilitary and Delhi police commandos kept a close watch along the route.
“There was a special emphasis on anti- sabotage checks, access control measures and intelligence coordination. The entire route of the parade was covered by special security and anti- terror arrangements. Elaborate air defence measures, including deployment of anti- aircraft guns were also taken to check intrusion of air space,” a senior police official said.
Besides the air defence measures, helicopters of the Indian Air Force hovered around Rajpath and all along the route of the parade. Vehicles entering the city were randomly checked. As the city witnessed a terror strike only four months ago, the security establishment left no
High- security, a great parade
■ 160 CCTVs between Rajpath and Red Fort ■ Snipers deployed on high- rise buildings
■ IAF copters scan area near Rajpath
■ Special emphasis on anti- sabotage checks