From crowd control to spectator care: Meet the people keeping NDP 2026 safe
More than 100 lanes will be opened to accommodate attendees of Singapore's 61st birthday celebration.
On the morning of Aug 9, 60 personnel from various Singaporean defence and civil defence agencies convene in a control room at the National Stadium. Their mission: safeguarding the National Day Parade. Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Leonard Lim, an armour officer, leads the Command and Control Group 2. A decade since his last NDP involvement, his primary concern is seamless communication across agencies using varying terminologies.
The National Stadium, chosen for the parade after a decade, boasts more entry points than the Padang or Marina Bay Floating Platform. This expansion poses a challenge for Lim's team, which must manage crowd flow at multiple points while ensuring prompt security checks. With over 100 lanes planned, the team will also focus on directing crowds based on ground conditions, such as MRT exits.
Second Sergeant Shekar Ritvik oversees an entry point for those requiring mobility assistance, guiding them to a special access lift and providing wheelchairs as needed.
However, the team's efforts must not compromise security. Shekar, a 19-year-old from the 1st Battalion Singapore Guards, shares that his first-time experience at the NDP was a steep learning curve. Despite the challenges, moments of human connection, like assisting an elderly woman and receiving public appreciation, make it all worthwhile.
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
