The Red Fort and its surrounding areas were placed under an extensive multi-layered security cover on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day. With thousands of police and paramilitary personnel deployed, more than 1,000 AI-enabled CCTV cameras monitoring the area, and specialised rapid response teams on standby, the Red Fort became a fortress until 10 a.m. on Saturday.

The security checks were put in place considering the bomb blast near the Red Fort in November 2025 as well as repeated hoax bomb threats ahead of Independence Day. Over 25,000 security personnel, including the NSG, were deployed across Delhi and around the Red Fort.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Raja Banthia said the security plan involved multiple layers of screening, besides a dedicated anti-terror response mechanism. “Advance liaison, mock drills, and advance intimation have been carried out to ensure coordination among agencies,” he told media persons on Saturday.

Visitors were not allowed to carry anything except their phones and passes. At Lal Quila metro station, security personnel scanned belongings and strictly removed eatables, coins, remote-controlled car keys, umbrellas, power banks, and handbags, forcing many visitors to leave their belongings behind.

Control room personnel monitored live footage from the CCTV cameras, which used AI to flag suspicious activity, alongside a Facial Recognition System. Anti-drone systems were also deployed to detect unauthorised flying objects. “There was no threat reported during the event, and no aerial or drone-related disruptions either,” said Niharika Bhatt, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (North).

Traffic restrictions

Several roads around the Red Fort remained closed to general traffic from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on August 15. Delhi Metro services began at 4 a.m., operating at 30-minute intervals initially. “Nothing adverse was reported. The parking arrangements were made quite efficiently, and the dispersal of the crowd was very smooth,” said Nishant Gupta, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic (Central).

At least eight people, including sadhus, were detained on Friday (August 7, 2026) after they staged a protest near the residence of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, an officer said.

The officer said a group of sadhus, including women protesters, attempted to hold a demonstration in the high-security area near Mr. Gandhi’s residence despite restrictions in place.

Police personnel deployed in the area intervened and detained the protesters to prevent any breach of law and order.

The detainees were taken away from the spot.

Nearly 300 shops located along the 1-km stretch in Chandni Chowk, between Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib and Red Fort, have been asked to remain shut from August 12 to 15 as part of heightened security measures put in place by the Delhi police ahead of Independence Day.

An officer said additional deployment, verification drives and inspections in areas surrounding Red Fort and along the I-Day march route began on July 2 this year, nearly two weeks earlier than the usual date of July 15.

Sources said additional curbs are being imposed this year in view of the November 10, 2025 explosion near Red Fort that claimed 13 lives.

“Beat officers have already informed traders about the shutdown from August 12 to 15. Patrolling has also been intensified across the market,” the officer said.

Unlike previous years, when shops were allowed to operate outside the hours of I-Day rehearsals between August 12 and 14, traders this year have been asked to keep shops closed throughout the four-day period. Establishments in the area have traditionally remained closed on August 15 because of the celebrations at Red Fort.

Subdued atmosphere

On Thursday, the rain-soaked lane of shops opposite the heritage structure bore little resemblance to its usual bustle.

Police personnel were stationed every few metres with patrol units combing through the market. Shopkeepers could be heard calling out to customers with attractive discounts and offers to salvage business before the clampdown kicks in.

“This time, the security forces’ presence in the market is visibly higher. Police and army personnel are making rounds regularly. Background checks of all shop owners and workers was completed in the last week of July. These days, the police are conducting random searches of shops almost daily,” said Anil, who manages a bridal accessories shop in the market.

He expects the curbs to take a toll on the business.

“Earlier, shops were allowed to operate for part of the day between August 12 and 14, barring the hours during which rehearsals were done. Despite this, sales dropped to nearly a quarter of normal business,” he added.

Pal, who runs a 70-year-old bag shop in the area, said traders have grown accustomed to annual disruptions but described this year’s security arrangements as the most extensive he had witnessed in decades. “We know business suffers every year during Independence Day preparations, but this year’s deployment and screening are much more intensive,” he said.

Random checks

The police have also intensified random checks at shops, hotels, lodges, guest houses and major transit points, including metro stations and bus terminals. Meanwhile, the Central district police are verifying more than 15,000 households and commercial establishments along and around the Independence Day route.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said every individual residing in these households had been screened to ascertain criminal antecedents.

Around 500 cameras, including facial recognition systems, automatic number plate recognition cameras, and pan-tilt-zoom cameras, have been deployed in and around Red Fort, with live feeds being monitored 24×7.

Officials said route sanitisation is also under way, with multiple civic agencies working to ensure waterlogging does not disrupt movement during rehearsals or the main event.