50,000 security personnel, anti-drone systems deployed for Kanwar Yatra in UP

Indian Express

2 days ago

The Uttar Pradesh government has deployed more than 50,000 security personnel, advanced surveillance system and anti-drone and tethered-drone technologies to detect any threat along the Kanwar Yatra route, and set up a centralised control room for round-the-clock real-time monitoring of the pilgrimage, officials said.
Such an elaborate security bandobast, made on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, was earlier put in place only during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj earlier this year and the inauguration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in January 2024.
Also, nearly 29,500 CCTV cameras have been installed along the key routes and major congregation points to enhance vigilance, it is learnt.
The security personnel on the ground are drawn from the Pradeshik Armed Constabulary (PAC), Anti-Terror Squad (ATS), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Quick Response Team (QRT) among others.
They include 39,965 male constables, 8,541 women constables, 1,424 home guards, 587 gazetted officers, 2,040 male inspectors, 1,486 women sub-inspectors and 13,520 sub-inspectors.
CM Adityanath reviewed the preparations and issued instructions to ensure arrangements for security, healthcare, sanitation, drinking water and traffic management.
As many as 395 high-tech drones, including anti-drone systems and tethered drones, are transmitting real-time video feeds directly to the police headquarters in Lucknow.
Tethered drones, which hover in a fixed position for extended periods, are proving particularly effective in monitoring dense crowds and enabling quick response in case of emergencies, the officials said.
The control room has been established at the DGP office on the lines of the Maha Kumbh Mela.
An eight-member social media surveillance team is also at work to continuously monitor online platforms for rumours, misleading information and sensitive posts. The team's mandate includes promptly alerting the district officials and ensuring swift removal of objectionable online content.
A separate control room team monitors inputs from electronic media, UP-112 helpline, and other channels to ensure seamless coordination and prompt response.
Details such as police officers' contact numbers, traffic diversion plans, and all Kanwar Yatra-related guidelines have been shared with the public through hoardings, newspapers, and social media.
For effective interstate coordination, a dedicated WhatsApp group comprising officials from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Delhi, and Rajasthan has been created. This group facilitates an exchange of real-time information on route conditions, security updates, and crowd management plans.
The anti-drone systems detect unauthorised drones by using radar, sensors, and other advanced technologies. Once detected, these systems disrupt the drone's communication link through jamming, rendering it inoperable or physically destroying the drone using lasers or missiles.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed indigenous solutions like the D4S system which is capable of tracking, intercepting, and neutralising hostile drones with high precision, the officials added.
Tethered drones are connected to a ground-based power source via a cable, allowing them to remain airborne for extended durations without battery limitations. The tether also provides greater stability in windy conditions for continuous surveillance and communication in sensitive areas.