As India counts down to its 79th Independence Day, the national capital is transforming into a high-security fortress. From the centuries-old stones of the Mughal-era Red Fort to the farthest fringes of Delhi’s borders, a dense security blanket is settling over the city. The preparations are exhaustive. Barricades rise like steel sentinels, armed commandos stand guard at every turn, and the skies themselves have been declared off-limits. Over 10,000 personnel — Delhi Police, paramilitary forces, and specialised units — will fan out across the capital. Snipers will occupy rooftops, AI-powered cameras will scan crowds and an invisible network of intelligence operatives will work in concert to safeguard Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 12th consecutive Independence Day address.
In a city that thrives on movement, the festival of freedom will also mean a temporary surrender of streets. Kites will be intercepted mid-air, drones grounded, and traffic reshaped by sweeping diversions. For commuters, gridlocks and parking restrictions will be the price of heightened vigilance.
Layers of Security
A senior police officer summed up the scale and said, “Robust arrangements have been made for the successful celebrations. All major stakeholders are working in close coordination across the capital.”
The plan includes multiple overlapping security layers around the Red Fort. Snipers, elite SWAT commandos, and even trained “kite catchers” will be strategically positioned to prevent airborne disruptions.
“It’s a precaution rooted in memory — during Modi’s 2017 speech, a stray kite landed just below the podium,” another officer added.
High-definition CCTV cameras already monitor the area, but this year the network extends along every approach route to the Red Fort.
These cameras feed into an AI-based facial recognition system designed for real-time crowd monitoring and swift intervention. Security perimeters are not confined to the ceremonial heart of the capital. Teams have been deployed to IGI Airport, major railway stations, inter-state bus stands, malls, markets, and busy public spaces. Anti-sabotage sweeps of hotels and guesthouses near the Red Fort are underway, checking for suspicious elements.
Human Factor
Police have been engaging directly with the local residents in recent weeks. Meetings with Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Markets’ Welfare Associations (MWAs) are intended to enlist public cooperation — and vigilance.
Officers are urging people to report unattended bags, unusual behaviour, or any sign of trouble.
Flag marches are being conducted in all districts, with foot patrols in sensitive areas and night patrols at border points.
“Public cooperation is as critical as the technology and manpower we deploy. We have held several meeting with the Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs) as well as Markets Welfare Associations (MWAs) and asked for their cooperation in the security arrangements,” said another official. Social media, too, is under watch.
Special teams are tasked with scanning for misinformation or provocative content that could disrupt the event, said officials.
Interstate Coordination
The security net stretches beyond Delhi’s borders. On Friday, Delhi Police Commissioner SBK Singh chaired an interstate coordination meeting at police headquarters.
Senior officials from Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Chandigarh joined central intelligence and enforcement agencies. “Close coordination with neighbouring states is a crucial aspect of security,” an official explained. “Border patrolling will be enhanced, special pickets will be placed, and all vehicles entering Delhi will undergo thorough checks.”
The meeting also focused on cracking down on criminal gangs operating in Delhi-NCR, particularly those with international links.
Airspace Under Lockdown
The skies over Delhi will be as tightly guarded as its streets. From August 2 to 16, the city is under a complete ban on sub-conventional aerial platforms. This covers paragliders, para-motors, hang-gliders, UAVs, UASs, microlight aircraft, hot air balloons, quadcopters, and remotely piloted aircraft.
The order, issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, cites the risk posed by such devices to public safety, VIP security, and critical infrastructure. The ban aims to prevent misuse by anti-social or terrorist elements, whether for surveillance, para-jumping, or airborne attacks.
Traffic: The Other Frontline
For many in Delhi, the most visible sign of I-Day security is not the soldiers or cameras — it’s the traffic restrictions. Over 3,000 traffic police personnel will be deployed to manage diversions and keep essential movement flowing.
Eight key road stretches — including Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road (and its link to Netaji Subhash Marg), Ring Road from Rajghat to ISBT, and Outer Ring Road from ISBT to IP Flyover — will remain closed to general traffic until the event concludes.
Vehicles without parking labels for Independence Day are advised to avoid central Delhi entirely, including areas around C-Hexagon, India Gate, Mandi House, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, and the Ring Road stretch between Nizamuddin Khatta and Kashmere Gate.
Alternative north-south corridors include Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, SP Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, and Rani Jhansi Road. East-west commuters are advised to use NH-24 (NH-9), Barapula Road, and other bypasses to skirt central restrictions.
Two bridges — the British-era Old Iron Bridge and Geeta Colony Bridge — will be closed towards Shanti Van. Goods vehicles are banned between Nizamuddin Khatta and Wazirabad Bridge from the evening of August 14 until 11 am on August 15.
Inter-state buses will also be barred from central corridors during the same period. Public buses will be curtailed or diverted, with services terminating earlier at designated points such as Turkman Gate or Boulevard Road, resuming normal routes after 11 am.
Ceremony At Red Fort
On August 15, the Prime Minister’s arrival at the Red Fort follows a precise sequence steeped in tradition. Received by the Defence Minister, Minister of State for Defence, and the Defence Secretary, PM Modi will be introduced to the General Officer Commanding (GoC), Delhi Area, who will escort him to the Saluting Base.
A combined Inter-Services and Delhi Police Guard will present the general salute, followed by the PM’s inspection of the Guard of Honour. He will then proceed to the ramparts to hoist the Tricolour before delivering his address to the nation.
This will be PM Modi’s 12th consecutive Independence Day speech from the Red Fort — a tradition that began with Jawaharlal Nehru’s address in 1947.
In his first speech in 2014, Modi described himself not as prime minister, but as the “prime servant.”
Last year, the government expanded its “Jan Bhagidari” initiative, inviting around 6,000 special guests to witness the celebrations.
These included youth achievers, tribal representatives, farmers, women leaders, and beneficiaries of various government schemes.
The primary aim was to make the event more participatory and representative of the country’s diversity.
10,000 cops, CCTVs and strict vigil
Over 10,000 security personnel will be deployed for the security arrangements
High-definition CCTV cameras will also be put in place at and around the Red Fort
Interstate coordination meeting held for strengthening cooperation and coordination among various law enforcement agencies
Police will also enhance patrolling at the bordering areas and special pickets will also be placed for security check at Delhi borders
Over 3,000 traffic police personnel will be deployed across the city to regulate the traffic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address nation for 12th straight time on August 15 from the ramparts of Red Fort
Traffic Advisory for Independence Day
Road Closures (till program ends)
Central Delhi: Netaji Subhash Marg, Lothian Road, SP Mukherjee Marg, Chandni Chowk Road, Nishad Raj Marg, Esplanade Road (and link to Netaji Subhash Marg)
Ring Road: Rajghat to ISBT stretch
Outer Ring Road: ISBT to IP Flyover
Restricted Zones (avoid without parking labels)
C-Hexagon, India Gate, Copernicus Marg, Mandi House, Sikandra Road, Tilak Marg, Mathura Road, BSZ Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg, JL Nehru Marg, Ring Road between Nizamuddin Khatta & ISBT Kashmere Gate, Outer Ring Road via Salimgarh bypass
Alternative Routes
North South: Aurobindo Marg, Safdarjung Road, Kamal Ataturk Marg, SP Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Park Street, Mandir Marg, Rani Jhansi Road.
East West: NH-24 (NH-9), Barapula Road, under AIIMS Flyover Ring Road, Mathura Road, Subramanian Bharti Marg, Rajesh Pilot Marg, Prithviraj Road, Safdarjung Road, Panchsheel Marg, SP Marg/Ridge Road
Bridge Closures
Old Iron Bridge (towards Shanti Van)
Geeta Colony Bridge (towards Shanti Van)
Heavy Vehicle Ban
Goods vehicles barred between Nizamuddin Khatta & Wazirabad Bridge: Aug 14 till 11 am on Aug 15
Inter-state buses banned between Maharana Pratap
ISBT & Sarai Kale Khan ISBT: Same period
Bus Diversions
Services terminating at Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Delhi Main Railway Station curtailed/diverted
DTC/local buses not to ply on Ring Road between
ISBT Kashmere Gate & Nizamuddin Khatta
Normal service resumes after 11 am on Aug 15
Pro Tip: Expect delays near the Red Fort, ISBT, and central corridors. Plan routes in advance and use Metro where possible