Elaborate security arrangments have been made with the deployment of additional forces at important ghats in view of the forthcoming snan of Ardh Kumbha Mela scheduled for Monday, said IG (Ardh Kumbh) GS Martolia on Saturday. Considerable numbers of parking spaces have been made in the Ardh Kumbh Mela area in view of the expected huge turnout on the occasion of the snan.
Four unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) would also be pressed into service as it helps the police a great deal in terms of crowd management, traffic management and traffic regulations apart from security purposes.
IG Martolia said that police officers and personnel have been directed to be vigilant at their assigned place. They were briefed on Saturday. 700 police duty points have been identified in Mela area wherein civil police and 44 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) will be deployed and their duty would start from Sunday.
Around 12 inter-state police barriers have been made wherein additional police forces would be deployed and they have been instructed to conduct stringent checking drive at their assigned post. Three companies of CAPF would be deputed at inter-state checking points. A total of 15 sensitive places have been identified in Mela area where three companies of CAPF, three companies of PAC personnel, more than 50 water police would be deputed. The police officers of local Intelligence Unit, Fire service, mounted police squad, SWAT, Quick Response Team, Bomb disposal squad and dog squad have been directed to deploy their forces as per requirement in the Mela area.
IG Martolia on Saturday inaugurated a primary medical centre set up by SDRF at Rodi Chowk Haridwar. Six other primary medical centres have also been set up by SDRF in the Mela area which have become operational from Saturday. Primary Medical centres have been set up at places like Rishikul, Chandighat Chowk, Belwala, Chandi Devi, VIP ghat and Rodi area. Two skilled paramedics have been appointed at each medical centre apart from this two SDRF personnel would also be deputed there for 24 hours, he added.