The Delhi Police and other security agencies have started to secure the Rajpath and India Gate lawn for the International Yoga Day where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to perform yoga. Over 3,500 participants are expected at the Rajpath on the International World Yoga Day on June 21. This is the first time that the Yoga Day will be celebrated in the country. Officials of Special Protection Group, Central security agencies and Delhi Police are busy finalising the finer details to ensure that everything goes well. Officials that the security arrangment around the historic Rajpath and India Gate lawns would be on the lines of the Republic Day Parade.
Source said the mega event will be held in the presence of other dignitaries, including the Union Cabinet Ministers and the Chief Ministers of various States. The sprawling lawns on both sides of the two kilometre long Rajpath are being sanitised for the purpose. “It has not yet been decided whether the Prime Minister will do yoga on grass or on a platform. But we are ready with the security arrangements,” said a police officer.
Many Yoga gurus, including Baba Ramdev, are also in the list of invitees, sources said. The lawns are being cleaned up for sitting and performing yoga for at least 3,500 people, including dignitaries. The civic agencies have also planned to install screens on the lawns for live view of the Prime Minister doing yoga from 7 am to 7.30 am. Doordarshan will telecast the whole event live. like Republic Day Parade, a separate enclosure will be set up for mediapersons.
Rajpath is a two kilometre stretch that runs from Rasthrapati Bhawan on Raisina Hill through Vijay Chowk and India Gate to National Stadium, where every year Republic Day Parade takes place. The avenue is lined on both sides by huge lawns, canals and rows of trees.
The United Nations had declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga, in December last year, something after Modi pitched for in his maiden address to the United Nation General Assembly in New York in September.
The entry will be restricted at a night before the event at Rajpath for the any vehicles. Thousands of security personnel, including paramilitary staff, will be deployed at the event. “Since, June 21 is falling on Sunday less number of motorists expected near the venue but we would appeal the people to avoid roads heading to Rajpath in the morning,” added the officer.