Security Upgraded at Sadar Bazar for Diwali Rush
On November 3, 2026, crowds thronged Sadar Bazar in New Delhi for festive shopping ahead of Deepavali, prompting the North District police to step up security arrangements with face recognition system vans, drones, and additional personnel, thehindu.com reported. On Tuesday, law enforcement officers and paramilitary personnel also carried out a flag march through the wholesale market to discourage illegal acts and boost shopper confidence.
Sadar Bazar stands as one of Old Delhi’s busiest wholesale markets, drawing a significant surge in footfall in the days leading up to Deepavali. Traders and customers from across Delhi-NCR and neighbouring States visit the area to purchase festive goods in bulk. The market currently bustles with shoppers looking for decorations, lights, firecrackers, clothes, footwear, and other festive essentials.
Flag Marches and Public Announcements Aim to Reassure Shoppers
“This flag march was conducted in view of the Deepavali festival and for the security of people coming to the market for shopping,” said Sonu Kumar, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Sadar Bazar. “It is also meant to instil confidence among them. We conduct such marches regularly so that shoppers feel assured that they are safe.”
Alongside routine patrolling, authorities installed public announcement systems at key points in the market to caution shoppers against crowding and gathering at one place. Major intersections and busy junctions have been fitted with Facial Recognition System (FRS) vans by the police, which incorporate the Ikshana surveillance systems as well as the Delhi Police’s Dynamic Real-time Identification and Surveillance for Human Tracking Initiative (DRISHTI) network.
Surveillance Technology Deployed to Curb Seasonal Offences
By comparing live facial captures against police records, the active units work to spot wanted individuals, pickpockets, and known lawbreakers instantly. Police stated the deployment aims to curb seasonal offences such as theft, pickpockets, and chain-snatching, which become a major concern in the densely packed market during the festive rush.
Police personnel have also been stationed on elevated watchtowers, or machans, along busy market lanes. Equipped with binoculars, officials monitor crowd movement and keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Drone surveillance is running concurrently to monitor congestion and movement across the market.
Crowd Management Remains a Priority for Authorities
According to North District DCP Niharika Bhatt, keeping crowds under control stays a top concern in crowded commercial areas like Sadar Bazar, especially when pre-festival rushes occur. To keep shoppers moving smoothly, stop heavy congestion, and prevent any dangerous crushes, police officers maintain a continuous 24-hour presence on the ground.