Prakasam barrage has of late become a vantage point for anti-social elements. Two recent incidents on this historic spot that links Krishna and Guntur districts highlight the need to keep a close watch on movement of people here.
The attempt by a woman from Guntur district to kill herself and her five-month-old baby by jumping into the water earlier this week reminded police of the need to be extra vigilant. But for the timely act of an auto-rickshaw driver, the two would have met watery grave.
Prior to this incident, the body of a man, said to be from Khammam district, surfaced in the water right under the bridge. He was allegedly thrown into the river by miscreants. That such incidents happen on an ever-busy stretch is a cause for concern for police.
One-Town Circle Inspector Ch V. Rama Rao says it a problem faced by Tadepalli (Guntur) and One-Town and Krishnalanka police in the city, as keeping a watch on the movement of thousands of people and vehicles is a daunting task.
“However, in view of the rising instances of suicide attempts and other offences, an exclusive beat is being provided for the bridge to keep a watch on it, particularly at night. The installation of closed-circuit TV cameras on the bridge would be helpful, and it will be taken to the notice of the higher authorities,” the CI added.
More CC TVs at Avanigadda
The Avanigadda police are all set to increase the number of closed-circuit TV cameras to check illegal transportation of goods on NH-214 through the toll plaza here. “Two more CCTV cameras will be installed soon as a part of the surveillance project. The existing surveillance system, being maintained by Navyuga Construction Company (NCC), has failed to provide better quality footage and data,” DSP K. Harirajendra Prasad said .
In October this year, NCC had installed four CCTV cameras at the toll plaza on the bridge that connects Diviseema of Krishna district with Repalle mandal in Guntur district. Since the National Highway passes through the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary, two cameras are needed to keep vigil on heavy vehicles and the rest to monitor normal vehicular movements.
Vehicular movements are expected to go up post-bifurcation. Hence the police authorities felt a greater need for strengthening the CCTV camera surveillance system on the Krishna-Guntur border, the DSP added.
