Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday directed state police to maintain heightened vigilance in the wake of the deadly car explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort, an incident that killed at least eight people and left several others injured. His statement came as central agencies and the Union Home Ministry intensified their investigation into the blast, which has triggered nationwide security concerns.

Sawant stated that the Goa government had moved quickly to strengthen preventive measures across the state. Speaking to reporters, he confirmed that he had personally alerted senior police officials to enforce strict security oversight to ensure that such incidents do not occur in Goa. According to him, the situation in Delhi is being closely monitored, and the state government is prepared to adjust its security protocols based on emerging information.

The explosion occurred around 7 pm on Monday in a Hyundai i20 vehicle near a traffic signal between Gates 1 and 4 of the Red Fort Metro Station, a high-security zone in the national capital. The blast resulted in significant casualties and injuries, prompting an immediate multi-agency investigation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been holding continuous high-level security review meetings to assess the situation. The second round of consultations took place at 3 pm at the Ministry of Home Affairs’ office at Kartavya Bhawan. This session followed an earlier meeting at Shah’s residence at 11 am, reflecting the seriousness with which authorities are treating the incident.

The meetings included senior officials such as Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka, NIA Director General Sadanand Vasant Date, Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha, and Jammu and Kashmir DGP Nalin Prabhat, who joined virtually. Their discussions revolved around preliminary findings, required follow-up measures, and inter-agency coordination as the investigation progresses.

A team from the National Investigation Agency and the Forensic Science Laboratory revisited the blast site on Tuesday morning to collect additional forensic evidence. According to officials, the NIA will soon register a First Information Report and formally take over the case from Delhi Police, following standard procedure for incidents suspected to involve terror elements.

The human impact of the blast is being felt far beyond Delhi. In Uttar Pradesh’s Amroha district, the family of Ashok, one of the victims, received his mortal remains on Tuesday. His sister-in-law Sumati said Ashok had travelled to Delhi to visit someone and tragically lost his life in the explosion. He leaves behind a wife and three young children, aged six, seven, and nine. The family has appealed for government assistance to cope with the sudden loss.

The Delhi blast has re-energised discussions about urban security and the need for continuous vigilance, especially in densely populated and high-profile locations. The central government’s swift coordination with investigative agencies reflects the urgency attached to determining the cause of the explosion and preventing similar incidents elsewhere.

For Goa, Chief Minister Sawant’s directive signals a proactive approach. The state, which sees substantial tourist inflows and hosts several high-profile events, is particularly sensitive to disruptions in public safety. Sawant emphasised that the police force has already been alerted, and measures are being intensified to safeguard crowded zones, transport hubs, and vulnerable public spaces.

As investigations deepen and security measures tighten across states, the focus remains on uncovering the circumstances behind the blast and ensuring that possible threats are mitigated swiftly. The coming days are expected to see increased coordination between national and state-level agencies, as well as further updates from the NIA once it assumes charge of the case.