Hyderabad: As major cities have been put on high alert in view of Republic Day, Hyderabad police has beefed up security in vital parts of the city. Police commissioner M. Mahender Reddy said that people carrying food boxes, camera, briefcases and other containers will be frisked thoroughly if they come near the Rajbhavan and Parade Grounds, where R-day functions are being held. Roof top security teams, dog and bomb detection squads have also been deployed.
North Zone police officials said that sabotage checks have been carried out at the Parade Grounds to sanitise the area. “We request the public not to carry any handbags, briefcases, cameras, food boxes or other containers while coming to Parade Grounds. Any person found carrying them will be frisked by the police,” said police commissioner M. Mahender Reddy.
Police said that around 1,000 policemen will be deployed in and around the parade grounds and Rajbhavan during Republic Day celebrations due to the alert issued by the Central Intelligence agencies.
All administrative buildings in the twin cities and MNCs and malls in Cyberabad have been put under surveillance. Senior police officials said that people should not believe in rumours, and must call emergency numbers if they find anything suspicious.
After the NIA court granted death to the Dlisukhnagar blast culprits, the police is on high alert. The police is equipped to tackle any kind of terror attacks in the city. A special police team would be monitoring CCTV footages at the command control centre the entire day, officials said.
Traffic curbs
The police has imposed curbs on traffic and parking near the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad from 8 am to 12 noon. The road from Cantonment garden to SBH crossroads will be closed for traffic from 8 am to 12 noon. S.P. Road will be closed to general traffic.
All invitees coming on vehicles with AA, A-1 and B-1 Car Passes from Begumpet side must proceed via Rasoolpura Junction, flyover CTO and those with similar passes coming from Upper Tank Bund and Ranigunj side must proceed via M.G. Road/Park Lane.
Vehicles with similar car passes coming from Cantonment side towards S.P. Road via Secenderabad Club, Tivoli and Plaza Crossroads should take a left turn and park in their respective enclosures after their occupants alight at their alighting points.
For pass holders, S.P. Road to Central Telegraph Crossroad and YMCA crossroad will be one way. Cars having passes will be allowed from CTO Junction towards YMCA before the parade commences and in the reverse direction towards CTO Junction after the parade.
Invitees without vehicle passes should come via R.P. Road, take a right turn at SBH Junction and proceed to YMCA Junction and St Ann's School. Scooters and cycles can be parked on Siddanthi College Lane, near Lamba Theatre.
Only vehicles with 'AA' Car Passes can be parked under the SBH fly over on SP Road, about 100 yards away from their alighting point. Ambulance and Fire Brigade vehicles will be parked behind the parade formation.
Invitees having car passes 'AA, A-1 and B-1' coming from Begumpet and Panjagutta, via: CTO flyover after 9-45 am should take a deviation in front of Chillah Dargha (near Plaza Junction) and go on the wrong side of the road to swimming pool side. The general public is advised to take alternative routes to the road from Monappa Island to VV Statue Junction (Khairatabad).
Passengers told to report early at RGI airport
The authorities of RGI Airport have requested passengers to arrive early for departures to avoid last minute rush in security check areas. The airport authorities have asked domestic passengers to reach the airport at least two hours before departure. Passengers who opt for web check-in are advised to report 90 minutes prior to departure.
Hyderabad Airport has also taken steps to streamline passenger processing by increasing the number of X-Ray machines at the security check for domestic passengers. The RGIA has also initiated a pilot project named 'Self-Baggage Drop Facility' to avoid long queues at check-in counters. Passengers will have the facility to submit their check-in-bags themselves at the airport. The departure ramp is also being widened to cater to more vehicles during peak hours.
