New Delhi, Aug 15 — The national capital has been placed on high alert for Independence Day with more than 25,000 police and paramilitary personnel deployed across the city, and a multi-layered security grid set up around the Red Fort, a senior police officer said on Friday.
Robust screening, dedicated control room and anti‑terror response
Delhi Police officials said the security arrangement around the Red Fort, where the Prime Minister will unfurl the national flag and deliver the Independence Day address, includes multiple layers of checking and screening at entry points, a dedicated anti-terror response mechanism and heightened surveillance to prevent and respond to any threat.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia told reporters that more than 1,000 CCTV cameras have been deployed inside and outside the Red Fort. These cameras are connected to systems running artificial intelligence (AI)-based video analytics and the live feeds are being monitored from a central control room to detect suspicious activity, crowd-related incidents and any law‑and‑order situation in real time.
“We have elaborate security arrangements, keeping in mind the incidents witnessed in the capital last year,” Banthia said, adding that response teams are positioned at strategic locations and mock drills and advance liaison with agencies have been conducted.
Banthia emphasised that the security architecture aims to ensure a coordinated response among agencies, with quick mobilisation of specialised teams in case of any emergency.
Citywide deployment and public movement
Authorities said the deployment is not limited to ceremonial areas: personnel are stationed at what are considered sensitive locations across the metropolis to maintain law and order during the day’s events. Police are also regulating vehicular and pedestrian movement around the Red Fort to facilitate smooth screening while attempting to minimise inconvenience to visitors and invitees.
- Personnel deployed: More than 25,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary staff.
- Cameras and analytics: Over 1,000 CCTV cameras with AI-based video analytics.
- Preparedness measures: Advance liaison with agencies, mock drills and strategic placement of response teams.
The police said advance intimation and coordination with other security stakeholders had been carried out to ensure readiness and a prompt, unified response if required.
Tools and readiness — a quick summary
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Personnel | 25,000+ (Delhi Police and paramilitary) |
| CCTV cameras | 1,000+ (inside and outside the Red Fort) |
| Surveillance tech | AI-based video analytics; live-feed monitoring from control room |
| Operational measures | Multi-layered checks, screening, mock drills, anti-terror response teams |
Context and implications for residents
Security agencies said the heightened posture was calibrated in light of incidents in the city during the previous year, and is intended to provide visible cover while enabling discreet threat detection and rapid tactical response. For residents and commuters, the arrangements mean expect delays and diversions in traffic around the central security zones; authorities have advised citizens to follow instructions from police personnel and make use of alternate routes if directed.
The use of AI-enabled analytics for public-security monitoring highlights the growing role of technology in urban policing. Officials say the system is intended to flag anomalies — such as unattended objects, crowd surges or unusual movement patterns — enabling human teams to verify and act swiftly.
Banthia reiterated that police deployment and screening were being conducted to ensure minimal inconvenience to visitors while maintaining high levels of security. He said the force was prepared to respond immediately should any law-and-order situation emerge.
As the capital marks the national occasion, security agencies remain on heightened alert, balancing ceremonial arrangements with measures designed to deter and detect threats, and to preserve public safety across the city.
