Security has also been beefed up at popular tourist attractions and shopping malls across the national capital as a preventive measure ahead of the new year. Law enforcement agencies have increased surveillance, intensified security checks, as well as personnel deployment at popular destinations expected to be thronged by thousands of residents and visitors.
These tight security measures are being coordinated by the Delhi Police along with private security agencies. Sensitive areas like the Connaught Place, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, and markets along with crowded malls in South, Central, as well as West Delhi, have been placed under surveillance. These areas have been recognized to have massive gatherings, late-night activity, as well as celebration events.
Among the most critical measures taken is enhanced police presence around exit/entrance points. The security teams are conducting bag checks, metal scans, as well as random frisking, around the points of entry for malls as well as tourist gate entrances. There is also enhanced CCTV coverage with live monitoring from district control rooms to enable swift detection of any suspicious activity or buildup of people. Temporary cameras have been put up to fill blind spots.
The police authorities said that the step of foot police and quick response teams has been taken in order to take faster action on the ground if needed. The police motorcycles and cars in large numbers are making regular tours around the areas where tourists are, as well as around the spots where cars can be parked, so that criminal activities can be prevented and quick action can be taken in case of emergencies.
Another, more important, area of concern in the security plan relates to crowd control. Barricades have been installed in sensitive areas to control entry and exit, avoid congestion, and manage flow. At tourist spots like India Gate and Connaught Place, authorities are keeping a watchful eye on crowd density and may restrict access to the area if the crowd becomes too dense. Public address systems are being utilized to manage crowd flow during peak periods.
Shopping malls, which are registering a huge influx of customers because of end-of-year sales and festival season shopping, are also taking internal security measures. Additional private security personnel are being deployed by the shopping malls, along with increased surveillance within the complexes, including strict coordination with the nearby police stations. Drill activities for responding to emergencies, such as a medical emergency, fire, or evacuation, have also been conducted.
Women safety and child safety are also being taken care of in the new security arrangement. Women police officers have also been stationed at major tourist spots and malls, especially in the evening. Women tourists have been asked to be cautious and call up the emergency numbers in case they face any problem. The police have also been asked to take immediate action on any complaint of harassment.
Traffic management has also been included within the security plan. Traffic police officers are managing traffic flow around malls and places of touristic interest in order to avoid congestion and allow easy passageway for emergency vehicles. Parking restrictions and diversions have also been placed temporarily in some areas as measures to reduce congestion and ensure pedestrian safety. Visitors have been encouraged to use public means of transportation whenever possible and adhere to traffic advice.
The government has called on citizens to cooperate with security checks and to comply with guidelines issued by police and security officials. It is advised that citizens try not to bring any non-essential items, that they arrive early to factor in time for security checks, and that any luggage left behind or other suspicious behavior should be reported. Through these holistic approaches, the government is working to ensure that shoppers, sightseers, and people who come for festivities do not fear or face any disturbance. The tight security will be effective throughout the New Year festivities, during which the government will continue to be vigilant and respond quickly for the safety of residents and visitors.
