Cops overhaul positioning, increase number of CCTV cameras on Grand Road
2
Bhubaneswar: Ahead of Bahuda Yatra and Suna Besha ceremonies in Puri, state police have reworked the positioning of AI-enabled CCTV cameras on the 3km Grand Road between Jagannath and Gundicha temples.
The overhaul is part of the revised crowd control plan following the recent stampede outside Gundicha Temple that left three devotees dead, police sources said.
"Supplementary artificial intelligence-powered surveillance cameras have been strategically implemented at additional locations, complementing the pre-existing monitoring infrastructure," said additional director general (ADG) Dayal Gangwar, who oversees operations at the integrated command and control centre (ICCC) for Rath Yatra.
Sources said new Puri SP Pinak Mishra drafted an additional list of critical locations where camera presence is essential for effective surveillance on crowd density. While at least 70 cameras were already in place on the Grand Road, the number has now been increased to 110.
Odisha State Police Housing and Welfare Corporation expeditiously installed the additional surveillance cameras on Wednesday. The corporation also conducted thorough inspections of existing cameras, recommending replacements for substandard units to maintain optimal surveillance capabilities.
"Technical clarification regarding the quality of camera footage can only be provided by the designated service provider. We encountered certain operational challenges stemming from adverse weather conditions, compromised internet connectivity and power interruptions. Nevertheless, these impediments were expeditiously addressed," Gangwar told TOI.
Responding to concerns regarding alleged poor functioning of the surveillance system, Gangwar said, "Our response mechanism consistently ensured immediate transmission of crowd density notifications to relevant police authorities for appropriate intervention whenever such alerts were generated through our surveillance network."
During Tuesday's security assessment in Puri, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasised the paramount importance of real-time crowd density evaluation and swift operational response. The CM directed DGP Y B Khurania regarding the deployment of additional personnel, particularly those possessing specialised expertise in crowd management and traffic regulation protocols, during Sandhya Darshan (July 4), Bahuda Yatra (July 5), Suna Besha (July 6), and Niladri Bije (July 8) — all of which traditionally draw hundreds of thousands of devotees.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
an hour ago
- Business Standard
Odisha seeks public info on Puri stampede that killed 3 during Rath Yatra
The Odisha government on Thursday sought information from public regarding the stampede that took place near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri during a ceremony related to ongoing Rath Yatra festivities in which three persons were killed and 50 others injured. The state government through a public notice urged the people to share information, video footage or any other materials related to the stampede which took place early on Sunday for a proper and transparent inquiry into the incident. The public notice issued by the Planning and Convergence department, also mentioned that any individual or organisation can share their information regarding how such an incident took place. "The members of the public are urged to share information, video footage or any other material through the e-mail by July 20," an official said. This apart, the notice said that the interested persons can meet and share information with Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar after 3 pm on July 9 and at the Special Circuit House in Puri on July 10 after 3 pm. The state government has also provided two landline telephone numbers (0674-2536882/2391970) of Bhubaneswar to facilitate the people to pass on their information to the team engaged in the inquiry of the stampede tragedy. The state government hours after the tragedy had ordered an administrative inquiry into the stampede with Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg as its chief. Garg has already undertaken a preliminary investigation by visiting the place of the accident and also holding talks with different stakeholders including police. She is mandated to submit a report to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi within 30 days. Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday formed a four-member OAS officers team to assist Garg to carry forward the inquiry and meet the one-month deadline. After preliminary inquiry, Garg said that she would find out what led to the stampede situation and identify the people responsible for the incident. "I would also see what more measures could be taken to avoid such incidents in future," the development commissioner said. She would also examine all CCTV footage, go through the deployment orders and whether the SOPs were being followed. After the stampede, the state government immediately transferred the Puri District Collector and the SP. Two senior police officers have also been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty. Senior IAS officer Aravind Agarwal has been assigned the charge to supervise the Rath Yatra affairs in Puri. Senior IPS officer Soumendra Priyadarshi has also been given the overall charge of streamlining police arrangements for the Rath Yatra.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
BJD seeks Law minister's resignation over Rath Yatra mismanagement
BHUBANESWAR: The BJD on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan in connection with the alleged mismanagement during Rath Yatra which resulted in the death of three devotees in a stampede near Gundicha temple. Stating that there was widespread chaos and mismanagement, party spokesperson Lenin Mohanty said the state government completely failed to manage the situation. 'The congregation of more crowd cannot be an excuse for such type of unfortunate incident. The government should have been prepared to manage the crowd,' he added. Mohanty further criticised the Law minister, who is in charge of the Rath Yatra, for shifting the blame and making contradictory statements instead of taking responsibility for the failure. Accusing Harichandan of being arrogant and insensitive to the concerns of the devotees, Das demanded that the former either resign from his position or be removed from the cabinet by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for his failure to manage the chariot festival. The BJD spokesperson also reiterated the demand for arrest of BJD leader Jagannath Pradhan, who he alleged was the main conspirator behind the assault of BMC additional commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo. Stating that the incident has brought shame and embarrassment to the state, Mohanty alleged that the government was shielding Pradhan due to his affiliation with the BJP.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Odisha govt seeks information from public on Puri stampede
Bhubaneswar, The Odisha government on Thursday sought information from public regarding the stampede that took place near Shree Gundicha Temple in Puri during a ceremony related to ongoing Rath Yatra festivities in which three persons were killed and 50 others injured. Odisha govt seeks information from public on Puri stampede The state government through a public notice urged the people to share information, video footage or any other materials related to the stampede which took place early on Sunday for a proper and transparent inquiry into the incident. The public notice issued by the Planning and Convergence department, also mentioned that any individual or organisation can share their information regarding how such an incident took place. "The members of the public are urged to share information, video footage or any other material through the e-mail by July 20," an official said. This apart, the notice said that the interested persons can meet and share information with Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg at the State Guest House in Bhubaneswar after 3 pm on July 9 and at the Special Circuit House in Puri on July 10 after 3 pm. The state government has also provided two landline telephone numbers of Bhubaneswar to facilitate the people to pass on their information to the team engaged in the inquiry of the stampede tragedy. The state government hours after the tragedy had ordered an administrative inquiry into the stampede with Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg as its chief. Garg has already undertaken a preliminary investigation by visiting the place of the accident and also holding talks with different stakeholders including police. She is mandated to submit a report to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi within 30 days. Meanwhile, the government on Wednesday formed a four-member OAS officers team to assist Garg to carry forward the inquiry and meet the one-month deadline. After preliminary inquiry, Garg said that she would find out what led to the stampede situation and identify the people responsible for the incident. "I would also see what more measures could be taken to avoid such incidents in future," the development commissioner said. She would also examine all CCTV footage, go through the deployment orders and whether the SOPs were being followed. After the stampede, the state government immediately transferred the Puri District Collector and the SP. Two senior police officers have also been suspended on charges of dereliction of duty. Senior IAS officer Aravind Agarwal has been assigned the charge to supervise the Rath Yatra affairs in Puri. Senior IPS officer Soumendra Priyadarshi has also been given the overall charge of streamlining police arrangements for the Rath Yatra. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
