JOIN USThousands of armed security personnel turned the capital into a virtual fortress on Saturday due to which the 64th Republic Day was celebrated without any untoward incident.
The security was beefed up at sensitive locations near Rajpath, and vehicles entering the city were randomly checked at toll-plazas. As Delhi is considered vulnerable to terror strikes, the security establishment took preventive measures to ensure an incident-free celebrations.
Snipers with sophisticated firearms were on high-rises while hundreds of police personnel kept the eight km parade route from Rajpath to Red Fort under their watch.
It, however, turned out to be a bitter experience for hundreds of enthusiastic people who braved the winter chill and travel restrictions to turn up at Rajpath. Police near Rajpath were seen denying entry to many valid ticket and pass holders citing overcrowding.
Police said the stands were filled by 9.15 am and they could not allow more people inside as it might have led to security issues.
Many mediapersons holding valid passes were also denied entry as the designated media enclosure was full.
No vehicles were allowed to ply on Rajpath from 6 pm on Friday while vehicular movement was restricted on Tilak Marg, Bahadurshah Zafar Marg, Netaji Subhash Marg up to Red Fort from 4 am till function ended.
Police said at least 25,000 men including those from paramilitary forces and sharpshooters from the elite National Security Guards were deployed.