The majestic Rajpath, the road between Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate, will be out of bounds a night before 17 April.
NEW DELHI: The majestic Rajpath, the road between Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate, will be out of bounds a night before 17 April.
Over 1,000 security personnel will be deployed in every nook and corner of the route of the Olympic torch relay.
Fearing disruption by Tibetan protesters, the ‘C’ hexagon that encircles India Gate will be sanitised. Senior Delhi Police officers of the security wing admitted Tibetan protesters had forced them to cut short the distance and change the route of the relay. The distance was curtailed after China expressed concern regarding the torch’s security.
“Initially, the route was from Red Fort to India Gate, same as in 2004, and all arrangements had been made accordingly. But due to the threat presented by Tibetan protesters, it was changed,” said a senior police officer.
Now, the relay will begin at Rashtrapati Bhavan and conclude at India Gate, a distance of two-and-a-half km against the 9 km planned earlier. Security agencies have made elaborate plans to make sure the situation remains under control. The agencies are so anxious that only participants invited for the function will be allowed to go close to the venue.
“Special passes with details of identity have been readied and will be distributed to participants and except them, no one will be allowed in the relay,” said Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat.
To beef security, commandos will be lined up on the ‘C’ hexagon road. Bhagat said spectators would be allowed to a certain distance and at select spots, much like Republic Day.
“The spectators will be allowed only after intense checking and frisking and each of them will be searched at three points, the last being the edge of the greenery of the ‘C’ hexagon.”
Security agencies are not disclosing the exact time and duration of the function. The function will be over in an hour and during this time, no traffic will be allowed towards Rajpath and ‘C’ hexagon.
Police are also planning a clampdown on Tibetan activists in Delhi. k_yogesh@dnaindia.net
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