Bhubaneswar: In a bid to modernise infrastructure, the commissionerate police have decided to incorporate drone technology as a major component of its smart policing initiative.
Police sources said the drones will be deployed in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack for various operations, including traffic supervision and public gathering management. “Drone procurement is currently in the bidding stage. Initially, we plan to purchase 10 drones. The selected agency will carry out complete integration, installation and commissioning of drones. Their experts will train our personnel on the operations, data acquisition and maintenance of the drones,” a senior police officer told TOI.
Deployment of drones technology will be particularly significant during major events, especially the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD), scheduled to be held here from Jan 8 to 10. The convention, which is likely to witness 3,500 attendees, necessitates robust security arrangements and crowd management protocols.
The police intends to use drones in conjunction with specialised teams, including VIP security units, to ensure the protection of distinguished guests and NRIs. “Drone has emerged as a transformative tool in modern policing and traffic management. Equipped with advanced sensors, cameras and GPS technology, drones offer real-time surveillance, crowd monitoring and rapid response capabilities. They can be deployed to monitor traffic flow, identify bottlenecks, detect violations and assist in accident investigations,” the police officer said.
Though police occasionally hired one or two drones from vendors for different purposes in the past, the new plan will ensure procurement of adequate gadgets for full-fledged deployment in the city.
Police officers said that drones provide enhanced observation capabilities for managing public gatherings during events and emergency situations and strengthening law enforcement. Senior officers highlighted the increasing adoption of drone technology for law enforcement worldwide. They said police forces in the US, UK and Singapore effectively incorporated drones for surveillance, rescue operations and traffic observation. In India, metros like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru implemented drone systems to address urban security challenges.
“Our plan of using drone technology aligns with the state govt’s vision for urban innovation and sustainable development, ensuring the safety and security of citizens while addressing traffic and law enforcement challenges. It also represents our efforts to integrate advanced technology into public administration,” the police officer said.