Republic Day 2021: 'No Chief Guest, Shorter Parade Route,' How Covid-19 Has Impacted This Year's Celebration

Earlier, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had accepted the invitation for the parade but cancelled his visit amid spread of the new strain of COVID-19 infection.

Republic Day 2021: India will mark its 72nd Republic Day this year and the parade for the day will be held amid strict precautions and new set of rules in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Here is how the pandemic will impact the R-Day celebrations this year:

Shorter Route:

The R-Day parade has been cut short this year. Earlier, it would begin from Vijay Chowk and would go on till Red Fort, but this time it would be conducted from Vijay Chowk till National Stadium, said Delhi Police Joint CP, Manish Aggrawal, while talking to ABP News.

The parade route has been cut short by 5 kilometers to 3.3 kilometers as against the usual 8.3 kms.

Children, Elderly Not Allowed:

 Due to the risk of transmission of the highly contagious coronavirus, this year children below the age of 15 and elderly people will not be allowed.

No gathering on streets:

Only those with ticket or valid pass will be allowed to watch the parade. This year in a bid to maintain social distancing, the crowds which used to gather on streets will not be allowed. Those without ticket can watch the parade on television.

Limited spectators:

The security officials will only allow 25,000 spectators to witness the Republic Day parade as against the 1.25 lakh spectators in previous years.

Covid appropriate behavior: People who will come to see the Republic Day parade will have to get their temperature checked; use of mask and sanitizer is mandatory.

122 Bangladesh armed force personnel to join India's R Day Parade:

It is the third time in India's history that any foreign military contingent has been invited to participate in the Republic Day parade. Earlier, contingents from France and the UAE have participated.

No Chief Guest:

In a first in 55 years, India will not have a foreign dignitary as a chief guest. Earlier, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had accepted the invitation for the parade but cancelled his visit amid spread of the new strain of COVID-19 infection.

On the proposed Kisan Tractor Rally, Aggrawal said that those talks are going on with the farmers right now. The rest of the Delhi Police is committed to ensure that any event or event happens.

(with inputs from ABP News correspondent Varun Jain)