Ahead of Republic Day 2026 celebrations, central agencies have directed Delhi Police and other law enforcement units across India to significantly tighten security, with a special focus on parking areas, second-hand vehicle sales, illegal chemical sales and drone-related threats.
The directions, issued through a detailed communication circulated a few days ago, underline concerns over vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), unregulated parking, and gaps in surveillance.
The communication has been sent to other states as well, a senior official told News18.
Field officers have been instructed to maintain strict monitoring of parking lots, including routine inspection of unclaimed or long-parked vehicles, which must be checked and impounded wherever required. Authorities have also been asked to intensify verification of purchasers of old vehicles and ensure that second-hand vehicle dealers follow proper documentation and identity verification norms.
An official aware of the communication said the advisory draws directly from past incidents. “Investigations into earlier blasts have shown how gaps in vehicle verification and casual parking practices can be exploited. This time, the emphasis is on prevention, not reaction,” the official said on condition of anonymity.
Red Fort Blast A Key Reference Point
The security grid is particularly mindful of the Delhi blast near the Red Fort earlier this year, in which the accused, identified as Dr Umar, used a car as a VBIED. Investigators have established that Umar had parked the vehicle in public parking areas and purchased the second-hand car without proper documentation, enabling him to move freely without attracting attention.
Umar had drove the car across at least 12 locations spanning six districts of Delhi before the explosion. The suspect is believed to have travelled through South East Delhi, East Delhi, Central Delhi, New Delhi district, North Delhi, and North West Delhi in what officials described as an “unusually extensive” and possibly pre-planned route.
Markets, Hotels, and High-Footfall Areas Under Scanner
As part of the Republic Day security plan, police have been directed to conduct intensive checking of hotels, guest houses, inns, sarais, vulnerable markets, vital installations, and other high-footfall areas. All sensitive markets and crowded zones are to be treated as vital installations, with immediate corrective measures wherever vulnerabilities are detected.
Security audits will focus on identifying surveillance gaps and structural shortcomings, with on-the-spot rectification mandated.
Chemical Sales, Patrolling, And Bomb Squads On Alert
The note also mandates regular inspection of shops dealing in acids and prohibited chemicals such as urea and ammonium nitrate, with sales restricted to genuine buyers after ID verification.
Non-functional CCTV cameras in sensitive areas are to be repaired on priority, while additional cameras will be installed to cover blind spots. Drone and UAV dealers, repairers, and spare-parts shops will be monitored closely, and all UAVs must be registered with the Bureau of Civil Aviation, in line with MHA SOPs.
Strict legal action will be taken against violators, with responsibility fixed primarily on establishment owners.