Chandigarh Police to nail criminals through hi-tech devices now

Chandigarh, Nov 4 : To regulate the growing traffic on city roads and ensure security of residents, police here have gone hi-tech.

Chandigarh Police is now armed with modern gadgets, including vehicle tracker system, automatic call diversion system and telephone integrated circuit.

"Time factor is crucial for us. With modern equipment in place, we are able to track the location of a caller in no time. Now we can quickly alert the nearest PCR vehicle," Deputy Superintendent of Police (communications) Roshan Lal said here Wednesday.

"Police Control Room (PCR) has been equipped with vehicle tracker system, an electronic device that enables the police to track the location of a vehicle. Automatic call diversion system cuts down on congestion, makes possible quick follow-up action and saves the vital early moments," he added.

Chandigarh has become the third city in the country to have the Rs.1.25-crore system, provided by Rolta India Ltd, after Delhi and Mumbai.

The telephone integrated circuit of PCR puts the call on the computer, facilitating better coordination and interaction between the caller and the computer operator, and quick follow-up action.

The Chandigarh PCR has a fleet of 56 vehicles, consisting of 23 gypsies, nine ambulances, 21 motorcycles and three trauma highway vehicles, stocked with hi-tech gadgets.

Senior Superintendent of Police S.S. Srivastava said: "We have seen good results after the adoption of these hi-tech devices. Number of robbers, snatchers, thieves and lifters of motor vehicles being arrested by PCR staff has gone up.

"Up to September this year, the PCR staff have received and answered 30,554 calls whereas they answered 36,365 calls in 2008 and 27,910 in 2007."

PCR here has been divided into three wings - communication wing, technical wing and operational wing. For better communication, it is equipped with 10 communication channels and a repeater station installed at Kasauli town in Himachal Pradesh, around 60 km from here.

Chandigarh has the maximum density of vehicles in the country. There are over 700,000 registered vehicles for a population of around 1,100,000.

--IANS