To provide safety to tourists visiting various historical places and monuments in the State, the Chief Minister on Wednesday approved a proposal to open Tourist Police Cells (TPCs) in eight police stations. These TPCs would be functional at the Puri Sea Beach, Chandrabhaga, Satapada, Shree lingaraj, Nandanakanan, Dhauli, Gopalpur and Chandipur police stations, said a senior Home Department official.
The manpower at each TPC would comprise an SI of Police, an ASI, a Havildar and six Constables. A total of 72 new posts in the above categories have been created and Rs 2 crore per annum has been sanctioned for running of each TPC, informed the official. TPC officials would wear khakhi uniform and use mobile phones and other ultramodern gadgets to operate effectively to provide safety to visiting tourists. Staffs, who would comprise both male and female, need to be tourist-friendly. Hence, candidates having educational background in subjects like History and Anthropology would be given preference during recruitment, sources said.
Separate buildings with Odishan architecture would be erected for these TPCS in the premises of indentified police stations. Such cells would also be opened at other places of tourism importance, according to the proposal.