The Delhi Police has procured 700 Artificial Intelligence-based facial recognition CCTV cameras to ensure robust security arrangements for the Independence Day celebrations in the city, officials on Thursday said

These cameras will be installed in and around the north and central districts -- particularly the Red Fort from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver his Independence Day speech -- to monitor VVIP movements and keep a close eye on any suspicious activities, they said

While the north district will get 346 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, the central district will be allotted 354 cameras, officials said

"These cameras will have pan-tilt-zoom features with high resolutions which will allow police to identify anyone from a distance. These cameras will be installed in and around the fort," a senior police officer said

The cameras with AI-based facial recognition and video analytic systems will ensure foolproof security, the officer said, adding that more than 10,000 security personnel will be deployed at the Mughal-era fort when Modi addresses the nation

The areas surrounding the Red Fort will be demarcated as a "no kite flying zone" until the programme is over. Personnel will be deployed with necessary equipment on strategic locations to intercept kites, police said

"Of the 700 cameras, 40 will be used for AI-based facial recognition, 15 for detecting intrusions, 10 each for reading registration plates of vehicles and counting people and five for detecting abandoned objects while all the other cameras will be used for audio detection," the officer said

According to police, anti-drone systems will be installed at the Red Fort is the convention while several anti-terror measures, including the installation of air defence guns, are being initiated

Police will also use a smartphone-based application to verify the identity of people coming to attend the event at the Red Fort, an officer said