Delhi Police in concert with Central security agencies have cast a heavy ground-to-air security blanket ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan’.
Modi is slated to visit Rajpath and Valmiki Basti at Mandir Marg on Thursday and the security agencies are in no mood to take any risk with the security of the Prime Minister. Arrangements for the day have been made at par with the Republic Day celebrations.
A ground-to-air security cover has been put in place at Rajpath where Modi will launch the ‘Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan’ and flag off a walkathon on Thursday morning. All Government offices like Krishi Bhavan, Rail Bhavan around Rajpath were shut on Wednesday at 1 pm following which the buildings were sanitised and sealed by the Delhi Police. Security personnel have been deployed on these buildings while snipers will also be deployed on its rooftops during the function. “We have sealed the buildings around the venue from 2 pm. We will take them over and Delhi Police personnel will be deployed on the premises. This would continue till the function is over,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) MK Meena. An air defence system to secure the skies will also be put in place the high-security area.
Police said all roads around Raisina Hills will also be barricaded as part of security measures. Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of the National Security Guard (NSG) will also be deployed besides paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos. Dog squad and bomb-disposal squads will sanitise the venue.
Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhawan metro stations will remain open till 7.45 am so that common man can reach for the event which is scheduled to start at 8.45 am. “Metro stations would be open till 7.45 am. After this both the metro stations would be shut till the end of the event,” added Meena.
The security apparatus is at par with the Republic Day celebrations. Parking arrangements for around 700 buses has been made. The Delhi Police has also put in place several restrictions for the event.
Rajpath and Rafi Marg shall be closed for movement of traffic from 5 am till the end of the function while Janpath and Man Singh Road shall be closed between 8 am to 10 am. Only cars with proper parking labels would be allowed on Rafi Marg from both sides.
Apart from general public, approximately 5,000 school children will participate in the event to launch the cleanliness drive. Government officers, diplomats and expats, representatives of corporate houses and Chamber of Commerce, faculty and students of universities /colleges are also likely to attended the event.
Walkathon will start from the crossing of Rajpath and Rafi Marg and will pass through Sunehri Masjid Road, Krishna Menon Marg, roundabout Gole Methi, Tees January Marg, Gandhi Smriti roundabout, Claridges Hotel roundabout, Q-point, Aurangzeb Road, Shahjahan Road and will terminate at Children’s Park, India Gate.
Traffic will be suitably diverted in the vicinity of Rajpath and in route of the Walkathon. Sufficient traffic staff have been deployed for ensuring proper diversions and guiding the road users, police said. Motorists have been requested to avoid New Delhi area and follow the routes, as suggested, for uninterrupted movement.