Latest news with #Astram
The Hindu
01-07-2025
- The Hindu
Officials review preparations for ‘Giri Pradakshina' festival in Visakhapatnam on July 9
District Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad has directed officials to make comprehensive arrangements for the upcoming Giri Pradakshina, the annual festival of Simhachalam Sri Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, scheduled on July 9. He stressed on ensuring a smooth experience for the lakhs of devotees expected to take part in the event without any inconvenience. He along with and Police Commissioner Shankabratha Bagchi, Joint Collector Ashok Mayur and officials from the Revenue Department and Simhachalam Devasthanam, inspected the 32-kilometre trek route on Tuesday. Later, a review meeting was held at the Collectorate to discuss important aspects including traffic management, queue lines, police bandobast, public address systems and security checkposts. The Collector issued strict instructions to prevent any stampede-like situations and stressed the need for complete police bandobast. Keeping in view of the large number of devotees, he directed the authorities to make proper arrangements for adequate number of toilets, drinking water, sanitation workers, street lighting, and medical camps. In addition to bio-toilets, he asked officials to ensure devotees utilise facilities at Kalyana Mandapams and schools along the trek route. He also proposed setting up holding points for pilgrims to rest during the journey. Mr. Harendhira Prasad instructed officials to deploy swimmers at Appughar Beach, where many devotees take a holy dip. He also ordered the closure of liquor outlets along the trek path on July 9 and 10. Mr Harendhira Prasad said that they will also make use of a special app for devotees to request medical or other urgent assistance. He also mentioned that the 'Astram' app would be used by the police for real-time traffic monitoring. Meanwhile, GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg, along with officials from GVMC and the Simhachalam Devasthanam, conducted an inspection of the Giri Pradakshina route. He instructed Chief City Planner Prabhakar Rao and Engineering Department officials to intensify pending road development and widening works, particularly along the stretch from Narasimha Nagar through Lakshmi Nagar to Gopalapatnam, including the Hanumanthawaka Junction.
The Hindu
08-06-2025
- The Hindu
Vizag police launch ‘Astram' app to tackle traffic issues in the city
Minister for Home V. Anitha on Sunday (June 8) launched 'Astram', a traffic monitoring app designed by the Visakhapatnam City Police, during a programme at the police conference hall here. She was accompanied by Commissioner of Police Shankabratha Bagchi, Deputy Commissioner of Police V. Ajitha and a few others. Ms. Anitha said the city police have been trying to ensure a smoother traffic, and the app was being launched keeping in view the interests of public. She said that with the city growing by leaps and bounds, traffic issues have become a major problem and the government was using technology to tackle it. Mr. Shankabratha Bagchi said Visakhapatnam is the only city after Bengaluru, where the 'Astram' app will be used by the police as well as public. Though the app was launched in Vijayawada earlier, it is only being used by the police. He said that the public can get real-time updates about the traffic in the city using the app, which will can be downloaded from the Play Store. He said field officers and traffic police on duty will report traffic situations in their localities to the control room, and the data will be integrated and further shared on the app on real time. The officer added that the app allows an analysis of the cause of the traffic congestions—whether it is a vehicle breakdown, road accident, road design issue or signal problem. The police can analyse and come up with solution, he opined. He said the app will also helps design green channels during VIP movements and transportation of body organs during emergencies.
