Heightened security reassuring for visitors as Red Fort reopens days after blast

DCP (North) Raja Banthia said that 40 local police personnel were on duty at the Red Fort, which is more than twice the usual number deployed. “We have also received an additional company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF). More than 40 CISF personnel are also guarding the area, along with 42 guards of the ASI,” DCP Banthia said.

On the lower than usual number of tourists at the site, a police officer said the low numbers are not down to fear of a mishap, but because people are not aware about how much access is allowed.

Some visitors were reassured on seeing the heightened security. Shailendra Kumar, a Kanpur native who works with a sports gear manufacturing unit, has been living in Faridabad since 2006. That was also the year when he last saw the monument. Standing 200 meters inside the entrance on Sunday, Kumar looked a little lost. “I am coming after 20 years. I don’t even remember where to take a ticket from. I heard about the blast. But kabhi toh normal hoga hi. One can’t predict accidents. And I think this is the safest time for tourists, since the police are extra cautious,” says Kumar.

For Richard (31) and Mike (32) who landed in the Capital from Berlin around 1 am on Sunday for a three- week India tour, Red Fort was a must-visit spot. “I mean we had heard about it back in Germany, and our friends were also telling us since they knew about our plans. But we expected high security because of the explosion, so no worries. And it’s visible… even near India Gate and the airport,” said Mike, a marketing executive.

The duo plans on going to Jaipur on Tuesday, before spending a week in Goa and rounding off the trip to the Kerala backwaters.