15L visitors expected at Faridabad's Surajkund fair this year, security heightened

FARIDABAD: Over 15 lakh visitors are expected to visit the 38th edition of Surajkund International Crafts Fair that will open, from Feburary 7-23, amid heightened security with approximately 2,000 police personnel being deployed and traffic management while 600 CCTV cameras are being set up.
Deputy commissioner Vikram Singh has declared the site as "temporary areas" under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023.The DC said any disruptions, disturbances, or the use of drones (UAVs) will lead to legal action.
"A ban has been imposed on carrying weapons inside the fair premises, with the exception of police personnel on duty. We have also issued a directive prohibiting the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like drones within the fairgrounds. This is part of a broader effort to prevent disturbances or disruptions that could impact the event. Additionally, the Surajkund Mela site has been designated a no-fly zone for drones, with exemptions only for armed forces or CID personnel tasked with safeguarding VVIPs and VIPs," the DC said.
Haryana heritage and tourism minister Arvind Sharma said Union culture and tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will be the chief guest at the inauguration of "the world's largest crafts fair" while Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini will attend as the special guest.
"This is for the first time that two states are selected as theme states. The BIMSTEC countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Sri Lanka, will be the fair's partners," Sharma said, adding that northeastern states Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim will also join the countries as cultural partners.