As per report, the traditional 141st Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath had taken off in Ahmedabad in all festive color and religious fervor on Saturday amid massive security cover with the first time use of Israeli helium balloons fitted with high resolution cameras. Meanwhile a posse of more than 20,000 police personnel has been deployed along the 18 km route of the yatra through Ahmedabad's walled city areas and outskirts.
Previously the Ahmedabad police used camera mounted unmanned drones during the Yatra but this time Israeli balloons will be pressed into service. J.K. Bhatt, Joint Commissioner, Crime Branch, told reporters "Helium balloons are far better than drones and helps monitor ground level situation from a height of 300 metres and covers an area up to five kilometer radius”.
He said “Besides the high definition cameras, the authorities would also
be monitoring the route of the Yatra through live feeds from 150 CCTV cameras”.
Moreover for the yatra, the entire security on the ground would be commanded by
city Police Commissioner A.K. Singh. Moreover in addition, paramilitary forces
and bomb detection and disposal squads was also deployed.
