Yamunapar Dussehra security has been tightened across east and northeast Delhi, with around 3,000 police personnel, nearly 200 paramilitary personnel, 100 patrol vehicles and drones deployed at Ramleela venues, according to a report by Jagran – New Delhi. The arrangements have been intensified because Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to be present in Yamunapar and large crowds are expected at several locations.
Around 70 Ramleela events are being held across the area. The biggest crowd is expected at CBD Ground in Shahdara, where five major Ramleelas are taking place. Police expect more than one lakh people to reach the ground on Dussehra, making crowd movement, traffic coordination and prevention of overcrowding central to the security plan.
Shahdara district police have coordinated with the traffic police to manage the expected movement of visitors. Police personnel will patrol the area in around 100 vehicles, while drones will be used to monitor crowd density and observe activity at Ramleela venues. The deployment is intended to help officials identify congestion and respond to crowd-control requirements during the celebrations.
R P Meena, deputy commissioner of police for Shahdara, said security had been strengthened at Ramleela sites across the district. Officers of assistant commissioner of police rank will supervise security arrangements. During the burning of the Ravan effigy, spectators will be kept at a distance to reduce the risk of a stampede, according to the police statement cited in the report.
The use of drones will allow the police to monitor crowd levels at different locations, while CCTV cameras installed at Ramleela venues will provide an additional layer of surveillance. Police officials have also said that suspicious individuals are being watched as part of the security arrangements.
Security has also been increased at Shastri Park, Usmanpur, Yamuna Vihar and other locations in northeast Delhi. Additional deputy commissioner of police Sandeep Lamba said arrangements had been strengthened at these venues and that police were maintaining surveillance across the area.
The deployment combines fixed surveillance, mobile patrols and coordination between district and traffic police. For residents and visitors, the arrangements are expected to affect how crowds are allowed to gather near performance grounds and how movement is regulated during the most crowded part of the festival. The report did not provide details of specific road closures, diversions or public transport changes.
The police deployment will remain focused on the Dussehra events, with senior officers overseeing security at the venues and drones and CCTV systems being used to monitor crowd conditions during the celebrations.
