The largest-ever fleet of 75 aircraft dominates the sky

For the first time, the Republic Day parade on Wednesday will feature a grand fly-past of 75 Indian Air Force aircraft, cultural performances by 480 dancers chosen through a competitive process, a display of 10 scrolls each measuring 75 metres in length, and the installation of 10 large LED screens, according to the Ministry of Defence.

The Republic Day Parade (RDP)-2022 takes place in the 75th year of Indian independence, which is being commemorated across the country as ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,’ according to a statement released by the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday.

“The big finale and most eagerly anticipated section of the parade, the fly-past, will see 75 IAF aircraft exhibit a number of formations for the first time as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav,’” said the statement.

The fly-past will feature vintage and modern aircraft such as the Rafale, Sukhoi, Jaguar, Mi-17, Sarang, Apache, and Dakota, as well as formations such as Rahat, Meghna, Eklavya, Trishul, Tiranga, Vijay, and Amrit, according to the MoD.

For the first time, ten scrolls measuring 75 metres in length and 15 feet in height would be displayed along the Rajpath during the march, according to the announcement.

“They (scrolls) were made during the ‘Kala Kumbh’ event, which was jointly organised by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Culture,” it said.

It stated that the scrolls were painted in two phases, in Bhubaneswar and Chandigarh, by over 600 renowned painters and young aspirants from all around the country.

The dancers who perform during the parade’s cultural programme were chosen for the first time through a national competition, according to the Ministry of Defense.

It stated that the competition ‘Vande Bharatam’ began at the district level with over 3,870 dancers in 323 groups and progressed to the state and zonal levels during a two-month period in November and December.

A total of 480 dancers were chosen in the end. During the march on Rajpath, they would show off their skills “it was stated Ten giant LED screens, five on each side of Rajpath, will be installed for a better viewing experience during the parade “The Ministry of Defense was mentioned.

“Curated films mixing footage from previous Republic Day parades, short documentaries on the armed services, and stories relating to various events leading up to the RDP-2022 will be presented before the parade,” the statement said.

Following that, the live event will be broadcast on the screens, according to the announcement.

In preparation for the 73rd Republic Day celebrations, the city police have increased monitoring and sealed the national capital’s boundaries in collaboration with counterparts from neighbouring states, in order to prevent any untoward occurrence amid a terror alert issued by intelligence services.

Officials reported that around 27,000 police officers were deployed in Delhi for Republic Day security responsibilities, and anti-terror procedures were stepped up.

Deputy commissioners, assistant commissioners, inspectors, and sub-inspectors are among the police officers who have been deployed, according to officials.

Personnel and commandos from the Armed Police Forces, as well as officers and jawans from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), have been deployed.

According to authorities, CCTV cameras with facial recognition software and anti-drone technology have been installed.

All of Delhi’s key border crossings, including Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur, have been sealed, unlike last year, to ensure an incident-free and smooth Republic Day celebration.

Border patrols have been stepped up and extra pickets have been deployed, according to officials.

Thousands of farmers protesting the Centre’s three agriculture legislation rode into Delhi on tractors on January 26 last year, wreaking havoc on the city’s roads.

They fought police and even flew a religious flag from the famed Red Fort’s walls, a privilege reserved for the Indian tricolor.

“In coordination with our counterparts, we have sealed the borders and deployed additional pickets. Commercial cars will not be permitted to enter the capital. Only authorized cars and those providing critical services will be permitted. Non-permitted vehicles will be sent back, and traffic diversions and other routes will be in place at several border crossings” According to a senior police officer.

Security forces are keeping a close eye on the area, where President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be joined by other dignitaries and tens of thousands of people to commemorate the occasion.

We have everything we need. We’ve been planning for over two months. Throughout the district, elaborate measures with multi-layered security have been created. “Vehicle checks will begin at the New Delhi district’s borders and will grow more harsh as you approach the venue,” said Deepak Yadav, Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Only vehicles with pre-issued authorized passes or control passes would be permitted to approach the function area, he stressed.

The DCP stated that all high-rise buildings have rooftop arrangements and that anti-drone equipment has been placed on a few of these structures.

A total of 27,723 Delhi Police officers, including 71 DCPs, 213 ACPs, and 753 inspectors, have been deployed for the Republic Day parade, according to Police Commissioner Rakesh Asthana, who briefed the media on the security arrangements on Saturday.

The CAPFs are assisting them with 65 firms.

Anti-terrorist procedures have been stepped up, according to police, in collaboration with other security organizations.

We have increased our anti-terrorist procedures in the last two months. These measurements were made on 26 parameters in great detail. It’s also because terrorists and anti-social elements have long targeted Delhi. We’ve been on high alert this year as well Asthana had stated previously.

Blockades (naka bandis) at various locations, car inspections, hotel, lodge, and dharamshala inspections, and various verification drives, such as those of tenants, servants, and labourers, are among the anti-terror efforts, according to him.

Airspace security is aided by counter-drone technologies.

Security has also been ramped up in and around the location where the Republic Day celebrations will take place, according to Asthana.

Security arrangements for the Central Vista project were also prepared in consultation with personnel from the agencies involved, he added.

Other agencies, in addition to the Delhi Police, have been deployed to ensure complete security.

A total of 200 teams have been working on it.

In terms of traffic arrangements, the police commissioner stated that an alert was issued outlining particular route limits to ensure that the public is not inconvenienced.

In light of the Republic Day celebrations, a recent directive prohibits the operation of non-traditional airborne platforms such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), paragliders, and hot air balloons over Delhi.

The order took effect on January 20 and will be in effect until February 15.