Nagpur police set to go high-tech

Nagpur, Feb 15 (UNI) The city police force is all set to go high-tech with the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, global positioning system (GPS) and geographical information system (GIS), even as Nagpur is poised to occupy an important place on the global logistics and information technology map.

Speaking at a 'Meet the Press' programme hosted by the Nagpur Union of Working Journalists (NUWJ) here today, Commissioner of Police (CP) S P Singh said 133 CCTV cameras would be installed at busy road intersections of the city to monitor the ever-growing traffic. There was also a proposal to install solar cells to power the traffic signals at important junctions when electricity was not available during periods of load shedding, he said.

A 'distress call management system' would be put in place shortly to pinpoint the location of anyone calling the police control room and ensure quick response, Mr Singh said. Modern technology like the GPS and GIS would be used to pinpoint the location and direct the nearest police mobile to the spot, he said, adding that an 'automated vehicle tracking management system' would also be established to help trace vehicles stolen or used in a crime.

As part of the effort to make the police administration more people-oriented, a 'citizens facilitation centre' (CFC) would be opened shortly in the CP's office here, Mr Singh stated.

Mr Singh said considering the city's impending growth after the implementation of the ambitious Multi-Modal International Air Passenger and Cargo Hub at Nagpur (MIHAN) project, which includes a special economic zone (SEZ) for non-processing industry, it had been decided to strengthen the police administration set-up here.

The city would have two regions - North and South - each to be headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Commissioner of Police, he said. The number of zones would be increased from the present three to four, each to be headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), the CP said. One new police station had been inaugurated recently and two would open shortly, while five more have been proposed, Mr Singh said.

Besides, three police stations, under the jurisdiction of the Nagpur District Rural Police, would be brought under the control of the city police, he said, adding that the MIHAN area was likely to have an independent police station. As many as 750 new officers and men would join the force shortly, he said. As part of the welfare measures, a public school for the children of the department employees was proposed to be opened soon, he added.

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