Binoculars and High Platforms: Delhi Police Gear Up for Diwali Rush
Delhi Police deploy elevated platforms, CCTV, and paramilitary forces to manage Diwali crowds in Chandni Chowk and Sadar Bazar.
As the festive fervor of Diwali grips the capital, the Delhi Police have launched a massive security operation to manage the expected surge of shoppers and revelers. To ensure foolproof security and seamless crowd movement, the North District has implemented multi-layered crowd control measures, focusing heavily on the bustling commercial hubs of Old Delhi.
High-Tech Surveillance and Elevated Monitoring
In a strategic move to oversee the dense crowds in markets like Chandni Chowk, Sadar Bazar, and Khari Baoli, the police have installed elevated monitoring platforms. These high vantage points allow personnel to keep a watchful eye on the movement of people from a distance.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Niharika Bhatt, the officers stationed on these platforms are equipped with binoculars for precise observation and loudspeakers to communicate instructions and manage the flow of the crowd effectively. This is complemented by an extensive network of CCTV cameras installed across the district to provide real-time surveillance.
Paramilitary Support and Field Operations
The scale of the operation involves not just the local police but significant reinforcements from external agencies. DCP Bhatt revealed that approximately 10 to 12 companies of paramilitary forces are being mobilized daily.
These additional forces are being utilized for several critical tasks, including:
- Route Marches: To maintain a visible security presence and deter crime.
- Encroachment Removal: Clearing pathways to ensure pedestrians can move safely through narrow market lanes.
- Strategic Picketing: Setting up checkpoints to regulate entry and exit points in crowded zones.
Coordinated Transit Security
Recognizing that railway stations and bus terminals become bottlenecks during the festive season, the Delhi Police have integrated their efforts with other security agencies. A tight coordination mechanism is in place at the police station level, involving:
- The CISF: For security at Metro stations.
- The Railway Protection Force (RPF): Along with the Delhi Police railway unit, to ensure that passengers exiting stations are released in a regulated manner to avoid stampedes or chaos.
Crackdown on Illegal Firecrackers
While security is a priority, the police are also strictly enforcing environmental laws. The North District has already taken a hard line against the sale and storage of banned firecrackers.
DCP Bhatt stated that 49 FIRs have been registered so far, leading to the seizure of approximately 2,400 kilograms of illegal firecrackers.
Public Appeal for a Safe Celebration
The Delhi Police have urged citizens to celebrate the festival of lights responsibly. The public is advised to:
- Purchase and use only green crackers to protect the environment.
- Strictly follow the Supreme Court-mandated time slots for bursting crackers: 6:00 am to 7:00 am and 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
- Limit the bursting of firecrackers specifically to November 7 and 8.