GSB mandal in Matunga procures software which will enable senior police inspectors to monitor the pandal remotely; others opt for Door metal detectors, mobile jammers

BARELY a week after MiD DAY reported the Mumbai Police's commencement of Operation Festival to ensure a terror-free festive season, Ganpati mandals in the city have decided to install hi-tech security systems and do their bit towards the cause.

Leading the pack is the GSB Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal in Matunga which has approached a Pune-based company for software which will enable senior police officers to monitor activity inside the pandal on laptops connected remotely to Closed-Circuit Televison (CCTV) cameras. The mandal is planning to install nearly 18 CCTV cameras to monitor the pandal and everything around it in a one-kilometre radius.

Developed by Cradle Technologies, the software -- Cradle -- will be installed on the laptop of Sunil Deshmukh, senior police inspector, Matunga police station. The laptop can then remotely connect to the Enhanced Video Renderer (EVR) system that monitors the CCTVs at the pandal.

"The mandal approached us with the new software and we liked the proposal. This will be great as I can keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the pandal without actually having to be there," said Deshmukh.
Ghansyam Javle, an official from  Cradle Technologies, said, "This is a unique software. Normally, CCTV footage can only be viewed on a central computer. However, using this software, one can connect to the EVR remotely and view the footage on a portable device like a laptop."

Ulhas Kamat, general secretary of the mandal, said, "We have procured the software to ensure better security for the devotees. This will help the police monitor the pandal from the police station itself. We will have also security personnel in the pandal and have spoken to various police stations in the area to ensure that the devotees can have a darshan in peace."

FOR A TERROR-FREE DARSHAN
Through remote surveillance, police officers can get live footage from the pandal even when they are on the move
CCTV cameras inside and outside the pandals ensure mandal members as well as the police get alerted in case of any suspicious activity
With mandals taking the eco-friendly route, the use of plastic bags is a strict no-no in many pandals

Heightened security
Bandobast at other important mandals
Lalbaugcha Raja
Satish Khankar, president, Lalbaugcha Raja mandal said, "We had nearly 40 CCTV cameras around the pandal last year and have increased the number to 50 this year for better security. There will be hundreds of policemen and fire brigade officials as well as an ambulance service as a precaution. There is a high cost involved in the arrangement but it is essential to ensure the security of devotees."

Girgaum ka Raja 
Last year we had five hand metal detectors, three CCTV cameras and even a swine flu camp. This year, four door metal detectors will be installed and 10 hand metal detectors will be provided to the security personnel. 15 CCTV cameras have been installed and 150 personnel have been deployed for security.  There are going to be three malaria camps as well. We have spent nearly Rs 1 lakh on security alone," said Rajesh Naik, vice president, Girgaum ka Raja mandal.

Ganesh Galli
"Like last year, we have installed two mobile jammers and 20 CCTV cameras. We have also purchased a fogging machine to prevent the spread of malaria. There will be 75 private security guards who will work in three shifts and our own members will also watch over the pandal and nearby areas," said Swapnil Parab, general secretary, Ganesh Galli mandal
"Two door metal detectors will be installed and six handheld metal detectors will be provided to the security personnel. We will also erect three watchtowers for the local police," he added.