Pushkarams: Drones to keep an eye on proceedings

Foolproof security measures will be put in place, says DGP

A view of the ongoing works at a Pushkar Ghat in Vijayawada, as seen from Indrakeeladri on Thursday. —Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

: For the first time, the Andhra Pradesh police will use drones as part of surveillance at major Pushkar ghats during the coming Krishna Pushkarams, said Director-General of Police JV Ramudu here on Thursday.

Drone and CCTV cameras would be used extensively at ghats located on either side of the Krishna River. Apart from real time monitoring of movement of pilgrims, and the traffic, the surveillance is also part of fool-proof security measures to be put in place for the Pushkarams, the DGP said.

Control room inaugurated

The DGP inaugurated a Pushkar control room on the premises of the District Police Office. He also inaugurated the renovated office of the IGP. Earlier, he inaugurated an iClick centre at Tenali. Replying to a question, the DGP said works related to Pushkar ghats were expected to be completed before July 25 to enable the Police Department to plan the barricading. He said all contingency measures would be put in place to prevent a repeat of the tragic incidents that took place during the Godavari Pushkarams in 2015 and during the Krishna Pushkarams in 2004. Batting for effective use of technology, Mr. Ramudu said technology was being used in real time monitoring of traffic, track criminals and their past record etc. Four interceptors have been placed on the national highway.

The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System, which is now being widely to crime detection and investigation, was being expanded to include 80 types of services.

Admitting that staff crunch had severely affected the functioning of the department, the DGP said that bifurcation of 3,000 police personnel, including IPS officers and DSP-level officers have been completed. .

“Age relaxation

under study”

The State Government is considering relaxing the age by two years for posts in the department, Mr. Ramudu said. A notification for filling of 6,000 vacancies would be issued soon , the DGP said at a media conference here.

“The Finance Department has given the nod for filling vacancies and after the government issues revised rules relating to relaxation of age qualifications, we will issue the notification,”’ the DGP said.

Inspector General of Police, Guntur, N. Sanjay, Superintendent of Police, Guntur Rural, K. Narayan Naik, and SP Guntur Urban, Sarva Sresth Tripathi were present