New Delhi: A ground-to-air security cover on par with the Republic Day security arrangements has been put in place at Rajpath where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the 'Swachh Bharat Mission' and flag off a walkathon here tomorrow.
All government offices around Rajpath such as Krishi Bhavan, Rail Bhavan among others were shut today at 1 PM following which they were sanitized and sealed by Delhi Police beginning at 2 PM.
Security personnel have been deployed in these buildings while snipers will be placed on its roof tops during the function.
"As you can see, we have started sealing the building around the venue from 2 PM and after these buildings are sealed, we will take them over and Delhi police personnel will be deployed on the premises. This would continue till the time the function is over," said Joint Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) M K Meena.
An air defence system to secure the skies will also be put in place the high-security area. Police said all roads around Raisina Hills will also be barricaded as part of security measures.
Mobile hit teams, anti-aircraft guns and sharpshooters of NSG will also be deployed besides paramilitary and Delhi Police commandos to secure the area. Dog squads and bomb-disposal squads will sanitise the venue.
Central Secretariat and Udyog Bhavan Metro Station will remain open till 7:45 AM so that common man can reach for the event which will start at 8:45 AM.
"Metro stations would be open till 7:45, so that people who want to come to attend the function can use the metro facilities till then. After this both the metro stations would be shut till the end of the event," he said.
"The security apparatus is on par with Republic Day. We will provide proper security, but we will try to cause minimum inconvenience to the public. We have made efforts so that minimum people are inconvenienced. We have made parking arrangements for around 700 buses," he added.
Delhi Police has also put in place several restrictions for the event.
Rajpath and Rafi Marg shall be closed for movement of traffic from 5 AM to 12 noon while Janpath and Man Singh Road shall be closed between 8 AM to 10 AM. Only cars with a parking label would be allowed to come to Rafi Marg from both sides.
Apart from general public, approximately 5,000 school children will participate in the event to launch the cleanliness drive. The programme shall also be attended by government officers, diplomats and expats, representatives of corporate houses and Chamber of Commerce, faculty and students of universities/colleges among others.
The walkathon will start from the crossing of Rajpath and Rafi Marg and then pass through Sunehri Masjid Road, Krishna Menon Marg, R/A Gole Methi, Tees January Marg, Gandhi Smriti roundabout, Claridges Hotel roundabout, Q-point, Aurangzeb Road, Shahjahan Road and terminate at Children's Park, India Gate.
Traffic diversions will be suitably enforced on roads in the vicinity of Rajpath and route of the 'Walkathon'. Sufficient traffic staff shall be deployed for ensuring proper diversions and guiding the road users, police said.
Motorists have been requested to avoid New Delhi area and follow the routes, as suggested above, for uninterrupted movement.
