Lucknow :

The immersion of Durga idols and subsequently Muharram processions this year would be under the watchful eyes of drone cameras. District administration officials said drones would be beaming live images of the processions and in the process help keep a tab on anti-social elements.

In addition, the district administration and police are also setting up a drone control room, the first of its kind in the state, for effective collection, assimilation and dissemination of surveillance information.

Confirming the development, district magistrate Raj Shekhar said, “Drone cameras proved their mettle during the recent byelections to Lucknow East assembly constituency and also during Ramzan. However, live streaming and beaming of the images by drone cameras was not done due to technical reasons.” But this time, the DM said, live streaming of high definition images would be possible.

The control room would be set up in Naka Hindola and the police have already reserved a place for the same. There would be two drones that would be pressed into action, four police staff and two men from the administration to monitor the visuals from the drone cameras. Nearly 30-40 television screens are likely to be used for this set-up, the DM said, adding, “The unique advantage which the drone camera enjoys is its cost-effectiveness as against expensive air surveillance by choppers. Moreover, the drones can be remotely operated. They also don’t make too much noise, keeping their presence a secret.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Arunav Sinha, TNN / September 28th, 2014