by: Nav Jeevan

146th Rath Yatra: 3D mapping tech, anti-drone system to make debut in security

  • Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel reviews the readiness of the police
  • Anti-drone technology will be in place to ensure no unauthorised drones are used during the Rath Yatra: Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi
  • Ahmedabad police commissioner said the procession will see heavy deployment of personnel en route

NE NEWS SERVICE

AHMEDABAD, JUNE 18

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday  reviewed the readiness of the police for the 146th edition of the renowned Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra to be held on Tuesday.

In another first, anti-drone technology will be in place to ensure no unauthorised drones are used during the Rath Yatra, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi said.

“Police have also organised sarvadharm (all-faith) blood donation camp, cricket tournaments and peace committee meetings in order to ensure the Ratha Yatra is celebrated with traditional fervour in a harmonious atmosphere,” Sanghavi said.

City-based Anant University had signed an MoU with the state government to offer tech support for this rath yatra.

The 146th edition of the Lord Jagannath Rath Yatra to be taken out in Ahmedabad in Gujarat on Tuesday, June 20 will see the use of 3D mapping technology, including a mobile communication unit and satellite phones, for the first time as part of a host of security arrangements, a senior police official said on Sunday.

Ahmedabad police commissioner Prem Vir Singh said the procession will see heavy deployment of personnel en route and anti-drone mechanism to take down unauthorised unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Apart from the three chariots, the yatra, which starts from the 400-year-old Lord Jagannath Temple in Jamalpur area, usually consists of over 100 trucks and it passes through several communally sensitive areas of the walled city.

“For the first time in the Rath Yatra in Gujarat, the entire route and especially strategic points will be monitored using 3D mapping technology,” he said.

Three-dimensional profiling of a location helps in improved visualisation and information acquisition, officials said.

“As many as 198 rath yatras will be taken out across the state. Along with the main procession, six smaller processions will be taken out in Ahmedabad alone. Security personnel with 2,322 body-worn cameras and 25 vehicles with CCTV and GPS system will be used to monitor the 20-kilometre route of the procession,” he said.

A total 26,091 security personnel, including those from the police and paramilitary units, will be deployed and they will be assisted by live feed from 94 CCTV cameras located at 45 spots, officials said.

Area familiarisation patrols were conducted to acquaint the police officers with the Rath Yatra route along with 32 drone surveillance flights, officials said, adding that 250 points and 25 watch towers have been set up to monitor sensitive areas.