As a part of modernisation plan of the Delhi Police, the top brass is currently pondering over the feasibility of using a helicopter for surveillance in the Capital. The idea was proposed to the Ministry of Home Affairs by the Delhi Police recently. It has been discussed twice in the past as well but has not materialised due to certain operational issues.
Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi on July 16 had circulated a letter among senior officers seeking their opinion on the usage of helicopters for surveillance in the city. The idea is still at the conceptualisation stage and no reply has been submitted to the Commissioner so far. However, most officers believe that using a chopper is not a viable option for routine law and order management in a place like Delhi.
Talking to The Hindu about the proposal, a senior police officer said on condition of anonymity: “Peripheral geography of Delhi is such that helicopters will not help much in aerial surveillance. There are congested roads in the Capital that can be manned only by road-driven vehicles. Also, there are many no-fly zones in the Capital, which will restrict regular operation in case of a helicopter.”
“The maintenance cost of the helicopters will also be too high and we will have to get trained pilots and an expert team to maintain the machines,” the officer added.
Some officers, however, insisted that helicopters can be used for effective traffic management and maintaining law and order situation during big rallies, demonstrations and protests. “We cannot use choppers on a regular basis. But it can be used during important events like the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations, mass protests and major VIP movements,” said another police officer.
