Kolkata, Aug 15 (IANS): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Thursday unfurled the tricolour at the Indira Gandhi Sarani here on Independence Day.

She also inspected a guard of honour with the national anthem playing in the background.

Banerjee witnessed a march-past in which personnel of Kolkata Police, West Bengal Police, Rapid Action Force and school students took part.

Colourful tableaux were taken out by West Bengal Police, Eastern Frontier Rifles and various state departments and schools.

Last year, Banerjee had broken a tradition in place since 1948 and hoisted the tricolour at the Sarani, also known as Red Road, instead of the state secretariat Writers' Buildings.

People burst firecrackers at midnight to usher in the Independence Day.

The national flag was unfurled at most places in the city. Cultural programmes were held in schools and colleges and in various localities.

The Kolkata Metro Railways, the lifeline of the city, also marked the 67th Independence Day with a ceremony at the Metro Rail Bhawan.

Elaborate security arrangements, including setting up check-posts at strategic locations, were made in and around the city for the day.