ID proof mandatory for buying R-Day tickets this year

New Delhi, Jan 19: Spectators coming from outside Delhi to watch the Republic Day parade this year are facing a tough time getting tickets as showing identity proof is a must – thanks to the stringent security in place for the Jan 26 event that will have US President Barack Obama as the chief guest. The ministry of defence (MOD), which is in-charge of the over two-hour-long parade at Rajpath, has made it mandatory to show identity proof like a voter ID card, Aadhar card or state government-issued identity proof – for purchasing tickets. “Due to the heightened security and the presence of the US president we have made ID proof compulsory for ticket buyers,” an official at a ticket counter in South Block in central Delhi told IANS. This has caused a problem for those purchasing tickets for relatives or friends staying outside Delhi.