Security tightened in and around city for R'Day

Security has been tightened in and around the city in view of the Republic Day tomorrow and "extra precautionary measures" have been adopted at Red Road where the official parade takes place.

A senior official of the Kolkata Police said the elaborate arrangements were made at Red Road following a directive from the state secretariat for taking "extra preacutionary measures".

On January 13, 2015, a speeding Audi driven by the son of a former RJD MLA Mohammed Sohrab, had barged into a rehearsal of the Republic Day parade on Red Road, broke three guard rails and mowed down a 21-year-old Air Force officer Corporal Abhimanyu Gaud.
 

This year the rehearsals for the Republic Day parade commenced on January 6 and roads around the venue, the Maidan and its adjoining areas have been kept closed to vehicular traffic, a senior official of the Kolkata Traffic Police told PTI.

He said multiple guard rails and bamboo barricades have been put up and extra number of traffic police personnel had been deployed during the rehearsals. The number of patrolling vans in and around the parade venue were also increased.

He said nine radio-flying squads and eight quick response teams would be deployed during the parade tomorrow as part of a multi-layer security arrangement.

Speed guns have been distributed to traffic sergeants to keep a check on speediding vehicles at the Parama Island, Maa flyover, AJC Bose Road flyovers and even near the Maidan.

As per the Kolkata Police directive vehicular movement on nearby Hospital Road (East and west), Lovers Lane, Queensway, Casuarina Avenue, Plassey Gate Road, Kidderpore Road, Red Road and Gosthapal Sarani were totally prohibited from 5 am till 9 am on rehearsal days.

Flanks on arterial AJC Bose Road between Kidderpore Road and D L Khan Road are also likely to be closed for vehicular traffic tomorrow. Traffic movement will be controlled on Strand Road between Gosthapal Sarani and Napier Road, and on R R Avenue (southern flank) between Government Place East and Government Place West as and when necessary, he said.

No goods vehicles will be allowed to ply on St Georges Gate Road and Strand Road. "We have also stopped vehicular movements to and from the parade venue and from the approaching roads to Red Road," he added.