Surveillance, security the buzzwords as all roads lead to Puri
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Puri: Hours before the annual Rath Yatra of Jagannath Temple, the city has been placed under a thick security blanket. The heightened security follows recent Indo-Pak tensions in the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam.
At least 203 platoons of police force will be strategically positioned throughout the city to ensure a smooth and incident-free Rath Yatra.
"We have significantly upgraded our surveillance capabilities with the installation of AI-enabled CCTV cameras at crucial locations. These advanced systems can detect suspicious activities and monitor crowd density in real-time," Puri superintendent of police Vinit Agrawal told TOI.
Police have decided to use drone surveillance to keep an eye on traffic flow, crowd management on the Grand Road, and enhance beach security. They have identified and prepared 21 parking lots across the city. To prevent traffic congestion, holding areas have been set up at five locations outside Puri where incoming vehicles can be temporarily stationed before the traffic situation is brought under control inside the city.
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Given chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi's emphasis on an incident-free festival, the Puri SP said a multi-layered security approach has been implemented.
As part of the plan, specialised anti-terrorist squads, National Security Guard (NSG) personnel, and dedicated anti-sabotage teams have been deployed. "Our arrangements are meticulously planned with a strong focus on welfare of devotees, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and differently-abled," Agrawal said.
Talking about beach security, Agrawal said regular police patrols have been intensified, particularly during evening and night hours. "We have significantly increased the number of trained lifeguards to prevent any drowning incidents. We are actively discouraging tourists from entering the sea during potentially dangerous conditions," Agrawal said.
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