R-Day: High security at Parade Grounds

HYDERABAD: The Parade Grounds has been turned into a fortress with police keeping a hawk’s eye on the venue for the Republic Day parade to be held on Jan 26. More than 1,000 personnel including Task Force sleuths and other specialised wings of police would be deployed for the smooth conduct of the parade. Over the past one week, security around the Parade Grounds had been heightened and a vigil was kept on suspicious elements. Day and night patrolling has been intensified on the roads leading to the Grounds and entry of general public had been banned.City Police Commissioner AK Khan on Tuesday reviewed the security arrangements and also the rehearsals of the parade.Speaking on the occasion, Khan said all measures have been taken to prevent occurrence of untoward incidents.Police officials said bomb disposal squads have been periodically conducting checks and the venue being sanitised for the Parade.Officials said frisking has been intensified in the city and that lodges, railway stations and other places were being checked thoroughly for anti-social elements.A strict vigil is also being kept on the high-rises around the Grounds.Officials, however, said there was no specific threat alert to the city.Meanwhile, police have asked the general visitors to occupy their seats 30 minutes before the Parade commences and not to carry tiffin boxes, cameras, handbags or mobile phones into the venue.Traffic restrictions have been imposed on the roads leading to the Parade Grounds.DIVERSIONS AND RESTRICTIONS (7 a.m to 11 a.m)The entry on SP Road between CTO and YMCA crossroads will be one-way Cars having valid passes will be allowed from CTO junction towards YMCA before the Parade commences and in the reverse direction towards CTO junction after the Parade is over.The road from Cantonment Garden to SBH crossroads will be closed for all vehicular traffic .Traffic from Begumpet side will not be allowed towards Parade Grounds.It will be diverted underneath the CTO flyover and commuters will have to proceed towards Paradise or Balamrai Traffic from St John’s Rotary side will not be allowed towards Parade Grounds and would be diverted underneath the YMCA flyover towards Upkaar crossroads or Clock Tower.