India, Jan. 24 -- Starting Friday, in the run-up to Republic Day celebrations, all construction-related activity around Kartavya Path under the Central Vista project has been halted due to heightened security measures, officials aware of the matter said, adding that the directions to this effect were issued by the defence ministry last week.

The defence ministry's security division has instructed that no labour tokens be issued to construction workers at sensitive locations in the New Delhi area where work is underway, according to an internal circular seen by Hindustan Times. All construction sites in and around the Central Vista will remain sealed until the evening of January 26, the circular said.

"The change in the modus operandi of...