Noida Police Unveils Plan for Six Water Police Outposts to Enhance Public Safety
In a significant move to bolster security and emergency response capabilities, the Gautam Budh Nagar police commissionerate has proposed the establishment of six water police outposts across key riverine, canal-side, and religious locations in the district. This initiative, spearheaded by Police Commissioner Laxmi Singh, aims to address the growing risks associated with increased footfall at water bodies during major events.
Addressing Safety Concerns During Peak Religious Gatherings
Officials highlighted that the need for these outposts arises from the surge in visitors during religious celebrations such as the Shravan month Kanwar Yatra, Chhath Puja, and Durga Puja. These events often lead to crowded ghats and waterways, heightening the potential for accidents and emergencies. The new outposts are designed to implement proactive monitoring and rapid response mechanisms to mitigate these challenges effectively.
Strategic Locations for Maximum Coverage
As per the detailed proposal, the six outposts will be strategically positioned to cover critical areas across Noida, Greater Noida, and surrounding zones. In the Noida zone, one outpost is planned under the Sector 126 Police Station, situated near the eastern side of the Okhla Barrage, beneath the Kalindi Kunj Yamuna Bridge. Another will be established in the central Noida zone under the Ecotech-3 police station along the Hindon River in the Kulesara area.
The Greater Noida zone is set to receive four outposts:
- One under the Knowledge Park police station in the Yamuna riverine area near Kambakshpur village.
- Another under the Dadri police station near the Kot canal.
- A third under the Dankaur police station near the Kherli canal culvert.
- The fourth under Rabupura police station in the Yamuna canal area near Chandigarh village.
Comprehensive Manpower and Resource Allocation
Each outpost will be staffed with a dedicated team to ensure efficient operations. This includes a chowki in-charge, head constables, and constables. For rescue operations, two rescue boats will be deployed at each location, manned by two boat drivers and two assistant drivers. Additionally, four to eight local private divers and disaster volunteers, known as 'Aapda Mitras,' will be associated with each boat. Officials noted that manpower levels can be adjusted based on the specific operational needs of each area.
Core Responsibilities and Safety Protocols
The primary duties of these water police outposts will encompass maintaining peace and law and order at ghats, managing crowds during peak gatherings, setting up barricades, and executing rescue operations in emergencies. A special emphasis will be placed on enforcing strict capacity limits for boats to prevent mishaps and ensure passenger safety.
Water police teams will coordinate closely with local boatmen, trained divers, and disaster response volunteers to facilitate swift and effective action during crises. While it remains unclear whether officers will be required to know how to swim, provisions will be made to provide necessary training to handle emergency situations competently.
Modern Infrastructure and Support Systems
Each outpost will be equipped with modern resources, including rubberised rescue boats, trained boat operators, assistant operators, and locally available divers. The Office of the Relief Commissioner will provide training and financial support for this initiative, ensuring that the outposts are well-prepared to meet their objectives.
This proposal marks a proactive step by the Gautam Budh Nagar police to enhance public safety and disaster response in water-prone areas, reflecting a commitment to protecting citizens during high-risk periods.
