New Delhi, Aug 14 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking initiative, security measures surrounding the Red Fort in anticipation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day speech have introduced a photo-based census of approximately 35,000 residents from the Walled City. This effort aims to identify unauthorized individuals in this sensitive area, as confirmed by a Delhi Police official on Thursday.

Employing artificial intelligence alongside physical verification to authenticate the identities of residents and their movements, the police are utilizing a mobile application named e-Parikshan. Officers are updating the residents' details by visiting homes and capturing photographs.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Central Range) Madhur Verma, “For the first time this year, Delhi Police is assembling a photo-based record of approximately 35,000 individuals residing near the Red Fort.”

He mentioned that the staff from the North and Central districts have collaborated to carry out this photo-based census.

The census includes residents located within an 800-meter radius of the Red Fort.

“If an individual from outside Delhi is found in this vicinity, their data is recorded in the app and confirmed with the respective state. This is the first instance where photographs have been captured during such a data collection process,” he stated.

Joint CP Verma added that, in addition to the photo census, several other security enhancements have been implemented, incorporating the use of AI tools.

Data from various security agencies regarding criminals has been incorporated into facial recognition cameras (FRC) to swiftly identify any suspicious individuals approaching this high-security area on August 15.

Furthermore, around 20,000 security personnel, including members of the Delhi Police and paramilitary forces, have been stationed in the area.

According to the police, security personnel will be deployed in all high-rise buildings surrounding the Red Fort and at windows overlooking the monument, while CCTV cameras will oversee the entire region.

Enhanced security measures have also been implemented at railway stations. Yashwant Singh, Inspector RPF, overseeing New Delhi Railway Station, stated, “We are on high alert due to Independence Day. Security personnel are placed at all entry-exit points, and thorough scanning of luggage is underway. Additional security forces have been deployed across platforms and other locations. We are also utilizing dog squads and conducted a flag march to instill a sense of safety among the public.”

At the national level, the Intelligence Bureau has issued warnings that certain terror groups might attempt to strike various regions in the country. However, the current highest threat perception is from Bangladesh, warning that terror could breach the eastern border, as noted by the IB.

Given the heightened focus on the India-Pakistan border following the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is likely to shift its attention to the eastern front. Intelligence evaluations suggest that the ISI aims to prompt a Bangladesh-based group to execute a significant attack, according to the IB.