Andhra Pradesh: Temples in Vijayawada under security cordon ahead of Navratri

Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh) [India], September 30 : A heavy security cordon has been thrown in and around temples across Andhra Pradesh's Vijayawada district in the run-up to the Navratri celebrations.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Vijayawada City Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu said that foolproof arrangements have been made to ensure security and hassle-free darshan for devotees.
According to the police, around 4500 police personnel will be deployed across the city as part of the arrangements. The police have also set up a command centre in Vijayawada to oversee the security, and CCTVs have been installed across the district, the officials said.
Besides the CCTV surveillance, drones will also be used for monitoring areas around the temples, the police said.
"Dussehra festival is being organised from October 3 to October 12. During this festival, we are making foolproof and hassle-free arrangements for all devotees coming to the shrine. Around 2500 police personnel and 27 platoons of force for law and order duties will be deployed," Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhar Babu said.
"We are going to build a command centre which will be operated by 200 members and altogether around 4500 police personnel will be deployed to ensure the safety and smooth flow of the darshan. This time we are coming up with innovative measures like ensuring shift timings for all the personnel. The command centre will also be technology-based and 20 drones will be there," he added.
Rajasekhar Babu said that the security arrangements have been made expecting a higher influx of devotees than last year.
"Last time, 13 lakh devotees came, however, this time we are expecting around 16-17 lakh devotees. 20 CCTV cameras will also be installed," he said.