Over 3,000 Delhi Police personnel, 200 CCTVs to secure Ramlila Maidan for Nov. 1 INDIA bloc event

Workers installing a tent at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA Security preparations are under way for the Opposition’s November 1 ‘Chalo Dilli’ event at Ramlila Maidan. Delhi Police will deploy over 3,000 personnel and instal more than 200 CCTV cameras, including AI-enabled surveillance systems, ahead of the protest, said an officer. The venue, which will host its first major demonstration since the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site on October 11, has been divided into 14 zones to manage protesters.The officer from the Central district added, “Since the ground is large, separate zones are being created for crowd management. Each zone will be managed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police-rank officer.”Control rooms are being set up near the venue, which will also see police personnel equipped with body-worn cameras and vehicles mounted with surveillance systems, the officer said.On Thursday, workers could be seen setting up the stage, erecting tents and placing chairs at Ramlila Maidan. DCP (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh visited the site to inspect security arrangements. Police personnel at the venue on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA Meeting on FridayPolice will meet the organisers on Friday to ascertain the expected turnout of people and vehicles, finalise parking arrangements and demarcate entry points to the ground, among other arrangements.Protesters are likely to be diverted through eight gates with a limit set for each entry point to regulate the crowd and mitigate traffic snarls in the area.While issuing the no-objection certificate for the INDIA bloc’s November 1 event, the police had directed the organisers to instal high-definition CCTV cameras at various points across the venue, including at the entry and exit gates, the stage and seating enclosures, and set up a control room with five screens as part of the monitoring system.Organisers have also been asked to provide adequate water tankers and toilet facilities, including separate toilets for women and to ensure that the event concludes by 5 p.m., with dispersal beginning thereafter. Workers at Ramlila Maidan on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA CJP, AISA offer supportThe Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), All India Students’ Association (AISA) and several other organisations have extended their support for the programme to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.Meanwhile, traders on Thursday urged Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav to postpone the event until after November 10, citing the impact it could have on festive-season trade. The Kirana Committee (Delhi) said traffic restrictions and crowding could disrupt business at nearly 20 major markets during the peak festive shopping period, affecting traders, workers and the families that depend on seasonal sales.Later in the day, Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called on citizens and student organisations across party lines to join the protest at Ramlila Maidan, saying the demonstration is not limited to any single party. He urged people to stand together without “fear of administrative intimidation”. Published - October 29, 2026 09:43 pm IST