A security personnel stands guard outside the Red Fort ahead of Independence Day (AP)
This Independence Day will see 7,000 men at the Red Fort and 70 CCTV cameras keeping an eye on the area even as preparations go on for the celebrations on August 15.
The city is on high alert, not only because it is August 15, but also because of two security inputs from the Intelligence Bureau, which came last week.
One of the alerts mentioned a recent statement of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed where he had said that there could be a repeat of the Red Fort attack thirteen years ago.
The second alert, which was issued last week as well, said that the capital could be targeted by the terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba. Though neither of these alerts are specific, Delhi Police is not taking any chances.
The Prime Minister will be unfurling the national flag at the Red Fort in the morning. There will be 52 PCR vans patrolling the area as well. Shops in the walled city will be sealed for 24 hours.
Besides the Red Fort, Delhi Police has identified 533 other vulnerable areas which include important buildings such as malls, markets and recreations spots. Borders will be shut from 2 am on Thursday morning till the function at the Red Fort is over.
It is not just the Delhi Police, but also the Central Industrial Security Force or CISF which has revved up security after the IB alerts.
The CISF is in charge of security at the metro and the airport among other important government buildings. Around 500 extra personnel have been deployed inside the metro stations. Not only has frisking been increased, but the CISF is patrolling the platforms as well.
Meanwhile, the metro parking lots will be shut from 2 pm on Wednesday to 2 pm on Thursday afternoon.
Markets have also seen increased security.
The market association head at south Delhi's Sarojini Nagar market said that CRPF men were regularly patrolling the market along with dog squads.