Mysuru: It will be a fool-proof Dasara this time as the Police have decided to provide elaborate security measures to ensure that the festival passes off smoothly and is crime-free. Along with heightened security, the city Police have drawn up a strategy to be “people-friendly” where Officers and down-rung Constables have been asked to behave in a courteous manner.

Speaking to reporters at a private hotel yesterday, City Police Commissioner Dr. A. Subrahmanyeswara Rao, flanked by DCP (Law and Order) N. Vishnuvardhana and DCP (Crime and Traffic) Dr. Vikram V. Amathe said that the Police will ensure that it will be an incident-free Dasara where there is tight control of law and order.   

A large number of tourists and visitors are expected to converge during Dasara that coincides with long weekends. “Over 5,000 Police personnel would be deputed across the city under the first phase, another 1,500 personnel will be added in the second stage,” he said.

Arrangements for grand finale

On Sept. 30 grand finale, 1,600 Home Guards will join to assist the Police personnel. Besides, 70 Commandos from the Immediate Back-Up Support (IBUS) and City Commando Force, 60 parties from KSRP, CAR and DAR units, 49 personnel from the Anti-Sabotage Squad, Dog Squads and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads will be deployed, he said.

A total of 10 Superintendents of Police, three ACPs, 37 DySPs, 111 Inspectors, 257 Sub-Inspectors, 360 ASIs, 3,190 Head Constables and Constables, and 307 Women Police Constables will be part of the civil Police force. A total of 781 Traffic Police personnel, including a DCP, one ACP and two DySPs, 14 Inspectors, 37 PSIs and 106 ASIs will streamline the traffic flow.

A separate contingent of 56 personnel, including four ACPs and eight DySPs, headed by a DCP, will take care of VIP security.

“Installation of an additional 66 CCTV cameras, deployment of a drone and erection of special barricades are expected to strengthen security for the procession. In addition to CCTV cameras already existing at traffic junctions across the city, the Police will be installing another 66 cameras along the route of the Jumboo Savari to monitor the law and order situation and keep a tab on the crowds,” he said.

Drone camera

As the use of drone cameras is banned, an official drone will be used as a precautionary measure to ensure law and order along the Jumboo Savari route. The drone would be borrowed from the Ballari District Police, he added.

He clarified that media and private persons will not be allowed to fly drones in view of restrictions.

Special barricades will be erected on the Jumboo Savari route this year as the spectators had crossed the barricades at several places along the procession route last year. The barricades will also have a mesh, he said.

Vigil on history-sheeters

As part of preventive action against anti-social elements creating trouble during the festivities, a total of 720 history-sheeters in city had been bound over by the Police by executing bond with surety.

Similarly, action has been taken to round up other criminals engaged in robbery, theft and other activities. Also, Police personnel in uniform as well as mufti or plain clothes will be deployed in crowded areas to prevent pick-pocketing and lifting of bags and suitcases.

Help desks

The Police will be setting up a total of 30 help desks in different parts of the city to provide information to the public and tourists. The help desks, which will remain open from 9 am to 10 pm, will be manned by Police as well as guides from the Tourism Department.

Traffic restrictions

The roads around Maharaja’s College Ground, the venue for Yuva Dasara, and Bharat Scouts and Guides ground, the venue for Aahara Mela will be declared as no vehicle zones during Dasara festivities. Necessary parking arrangements will be made for visitors at both venues.

A host of other traffic restrictions have been imposed from Sept. 21 to Sept. 30. The movement of vehicles will be allowed only in the anti-clockwise direction around Mysore Palace, on New Sayyaji Rao Road, Bengaluru-Nilgiri Road and Banumaiah Road between 3 pm and 9.30 pm. Also, parking of vehicles has been banned on these roads from 3 pm to 9.30 pm.

Apart from the above roads, similar restrictions have been imposed from K.R. Circle to Ayurveda Circle; Nehru Circle to B.N Road Junction, N. Madhavarao Circle to Chamaraja Double Road Junction.