AI cameras, facial recognition, anti-drone systems guard Red Fort on I-Day

On India's 80th Independence Day, the Red Fort was secured by a multi-layered technology grid operating behind the visible security presence, the Times of India reports. Police used the Abhigyan app to scan identities against a database of over a crore people, with fingerprint checks returning results in seconds. Facial Recognition System (FRS) vans scanned crowds and sent alerts for suspicious matches.

AI-enabled CCTV cameras monitored the area and its surroundings from a control room, while Under Vehicle Surveillance Systems (UVSS) at parking entrances captured high-resolution images of vehicle undercarriages. Anti-drone systems were deployed to detect and counter unauthorised aerial activity, and drones as well as kites were banned. Personnel also used handheld mirrors to inspect vehicles and recorded registration numbers.

The Times of India notes that the technology supplemented the physical security grid, which included police at every enclosure and teams maintaining the perimeter. These systems worked quietly alongside the visible barricades and officers, helping detect, verify, and respond to potential threats throughout the celebrations.