100 CCTVs to keep watch on R-Day parade route

According to a senior police official, 90 CCTVs will be installed from tomorrow on the route of the Republic Day parade to ensure that no suspicious movement goes unnoticed.

"All cameras except 14 to be installed in Central District will have pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) and day/night colour zoom lens. The system will have a digital video recorder as well," the official said.

Eighteen CCTVs will be installed on Rajpath from where President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with other dignitaries, including chief guest Indonesian President S B Yudhoyono will watch the parade which provides a kaleidoscopic view of the country's "unity in diversity".

"A doctor will have access to CCTV footage at the Rajpath and he will monitor the VVIPs for emergency support," the official said.

While 22 cameras will be installed between Janpath and C-Hexagon of India Gate, 11 cameras will be installed around Vijay Chowk. Another six CCTVs will be installed around India Gate, the war memorial, besides 8 from C-Hexagon on Tilak Marg Crossing to 'W' Point.

There will be CCTV cameras to cover high-rise buildings like Hotel Le-Meridian and Hotel Shangri La Eros.

On the route passing through Central District from Tilak Bridge to the border of North District, 17 CCTVs are being installed.

"Ten CCTV Cameras will be installed in locations like DDU Marg, ITO, Science Academy of Art, Kotla Road, Khooni Darwaja, Delhi Gate towards Raj Ghat and Ramlila Ground to Delhi Gate red light crossing," the official said.

In addition, seven CCTV cameras will be installed near Jama Masjid from Parkash Chand Marg, Mahavir Vatika towards Jain Sanskrit School, Coat Market, Subhash Park T Point and Parade Ground T Point towards Meena Bazar to Paiwala Chowk.

In North Delhi, police intends to cover rooftops of old Lajpat Rai Market and New Lajpat Rai Market by installing eight CCTV cameras.

"As such, the entire route has lanes and cuts at regular intervals. The public also assembles without any pass or entry tickets on both sides of the parade route.

"The camera surveillance is essentially required to keep a vigil on any mischievous person or anti-social elements apart from any terrorist activity," the official said.

For the celebrations organised by Delhi Government, the official said, 17 CCTVs are being installed in and around Ambedkar Stadium.