Intensive real-time surveillance, strengthened aerial security and increased armed component of the 45,000-strong deployment were the key elements that made the arrangements for this year’s Republic Day parade unprecedented.
Security and intelligence agencies heaved a sigh of relief after the celebrations passed off peacefully on Monday. “It took weeks of deliberations, multi-agency coordination, microscopic review of implementations and firming up of the final action plan by Indian agencies and their counterparts from the U.S. to put in place an impregnable security ring around Delhi,” said an officer. Wary of a possible flash-protest, security personnel did not even allow black umbrellas, mufflers and raincoats into the venue, leaving many to be drenched in the rain. The usual traffic diversions aside, each and every vehicle entering the high-security zone was thoroughly checked by anti-sabotage teams. Nearly 15,000 CCTV cameras, including those controlled by face-recognition and video analytics software, were installed.