Vadodara: Anyone attempting to create trouble during the Jagannath Yatra in Vadodara on Thursday will be under the watch of an extensive surveillance network, with city police deploying eight high-resolution drones to monitor the procession from the air.The drones, capable of capturing clear images over long distances, will keep a close watch on the entire route and sensitive locations. “The drones can even capture vehicle registration numbers. Besides drones, CCTV cameras and body-worn cameras will also be used to monitor the yatra,” police commissioner Narasimha Komar said.“Our priority is to ensure the procession passes off peacefully and devotees have adequate exit routes for their safety,” Komar told TOI.
The police, Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), health department and ISKCON Temple authorities have held a series of meetings over the past few days to finalise security and crowd-management arrangements.Around 2,000 police personnel, including senior officers, will be deployed along the procession route, which will begin from Sayajigunj, pass through Raopura and Nyay Mandir Road, and culminate near Polo Ground. The security deployment includes one joint commissioner of police, one additional commissioner, nine deputy commissioners, 12 assistant commissioners, 44 police inspectors and 67 police sub-inspectors.Three companies of the State Reserve Police (SRP) and nearly 1,000 home guards will also be deployed. The entire procession will be monitored in real time through the city’s command and control centre.Traffic diversions have been put in place across Sayajigunj and the old city areas to facilitate the smooth movement of the procession. ISKCON Temple authorities said they would distribute several thousand kilograms of sheera as prasad to devotees along the yatra route.
