Post News Network
Puri, Feb 1: Round-the-clock police patrolling has been launched on the Puri-Konark marine drive and the Puri-Satpada road, with the tourism department Sunday launching the tourist police patrolling system here in association with the district police.
“The system will benefit the tourists and check the occurrence of crimes on these two roads,” said tourism and culture minister Ashok Panda, who inaugurated the system.
The tourism department has arranged four vehicles and will bear the fuel expenses for the patrolling. District police have deputed 20 personnel for the system, Panda said.
The tourism department has decided to set up designated desks for tourists at eight police stations in Puri, Bhubaneswar, Konark and Satapada area. Funds for this will be provided in the coming budget. Police officials will be imparted special training to handle these desks, Panda said.
Superintendent of police Ashis Kumar Singh expressed satisfaction over the introduction of tourist police patrolling system. “The new system will be beneficial for tourists. Moreover, the district police have launched a helpline (1800-200-2524) for tourists,” said Singh.
Others who were present at the inauguration include local legislator Maheswar Mohanty, Puri Hotel Owners’ Association president Ramkrushna Dasmahapatra, collector Aravind Agarwal and additional collector Uddhav Chandra Majhi.