Cops to keep hi-tech eye on traffic offenders

The next time you violate traffic rules within the Cyberabad police limits, you will be caught for sure. The Cyberabad police is all set to instal the latest `Red Speed Cameras’ to capture the images of motorists violating traffic rules so that they can be penalised later. For the first time in the State, 20 junctions in Cyberabad will have these high-end cameras.

“The Red Speed Cameras are specialised devices that capture instances of overspeeding, triple riding and signal-jumping by motorists. They transfer the captured images to the control room at the Commissionerate and the Regional Transport Authority offices.

Later, the data will be downloaded and e-challans will be issued to the violators,’’ V Ashok Reddy, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Cyberabad, told Expresso. Already, Red Speed Cameras have been installed in Bangalore, New Delhi and Mumbai. The high-definition gadgets are proposed to be installed at Cyber Towers, JNTU Circle, LB Nagar Ring Road and Uppal junction among other places at a cost of Rs 2.5 crore.

Police officials believe the cameras will play a vital role in reducing the accident rate that is quite high because of heavy traffic.

On an experimental basis, the first Red Speed Camera has been installed at Kothaguda junction recently. “We are in the process of finetuning the gadget,’’ an official said. The Red Speed Cameras are referred to as digital gatsos or monitron cameras. They work just like gatso cameras but have a more sophisticated digital image capture system.

“The camera takes three pictures. Two to confirm the speed of the vehicle in relation to the white lines painted on the road (much like the gasto system) and a third close-up picture to determine the registration number, make, model and colour of the vehicle,’’ the official explained.

The technologies used in the camera, manufactured by the UK-based Red Speed International Limited, are inductive loops such as digital camera, flash unit and near instant ADSL Data Transfer.

As the camera uses a fully digital mechanism, it sends photographs to the control room automatically through a high-speed network link. “This takes just a few seconds and therefore it makes the camera an efficient system to identify violators,’’ Ashok Reddy said.

 

By Mouli Mareedu

 

mouli@expressbuzz.com

Cop with a passion

Passion often drives one to excellence at work, they say. As if to prove this point, a lowly-placed cop with a passion for policing went out of his way and helped bust an inter-State gang with links to Mumbai mafia that led to the seizure of property worth lakhs of rupees.

The dutiful cop is V Ganesh, a traffic constable attached to the traffic wing of the Uppal police station. Carrying a childhood dream of becoming a cop, Ganesh aimed at the post of sub-inspector but, despite hard work, he could only land a constable job. But that has not dampened his spirit nor has slackened his devotion to duty.

“Working in the police force has been a passion and this led me to appear for the test for the post of SI. I wanted to join the force to work for the people,’’ Ganesh told Expresso. Ganesh’s happiness knew no bounds after the Cyberabad Police Commissioner S Prabhakar Reddy lauded his efforts in helping the police nab the gang.
Recalling the day when he came across the gang members, Ganesh said he was posted at the Uppal Ring Road when he was informed about a DCM van coming from LB Nagar carrying gold and silver ornaments worth several lakhs of rupees.
“I was told the valuables were robbed from a jewellery shop. Immediately, I began stopping all the DCM vehicles passing by and started checking them one by one,’’ he said. When two DCM vans reached the Uppal junction, he stopped them with the help of an RTC bus driver after persuading him to park his vehicle across the road blocking the way.
“In one van, I noticed that three people seated inside were quite anxious and were struggling to hide their emotions. Without wasting a second, I informed the police control room. Then I got into the van and found a bag containing gold and silver ornaments,’’ Ganesh explained the bust.

Soon, police parties arrived and took them into custody. Based on their confession, stolen property worth Rs 13.50 lakh was recovered and other gang members were arrested. “I was just doing my duty and was successful. 

It was a great feeling. All my superiors praised me for the good work,’’ Ganesh said with a glow on his face.

The Central Crime Station (CCS) of the Cyberabad Commissionerate is now planning to take him in so that his services could be utilised for crime cases. Hailing from a farmer’s family in Nalgonda district, Ganesh graduated in Arts and joined the department two years ago.

In an upbeat mood after his recent achievement, Ganesh (PC 4201) is preparing for the test (for the post of SI) yet again. This time, he is confident he would make it.
 
 
By Mouli Mareedu
mouli@expressbuzz.com
 

Experiencing village life, first hand

It was a cheerful time for kids clad in rural costumes as they enthusiastically involved in various parish professions, such as ploughing fields, milking cows and buffalos, riding on bullock carts with loads of paddy collect, disseminating paddy and cotton seeds on wet and mudspattered meadow and harvesting crop amidst folk songs.

To create awareness on village life and the farming culture, professions among the kids, the Academic Heights Public Schools (AHPS) launched Hello Farmer, an innovative student education programme. The programme is a part of their Continuing Education and Learning Programmes for Students (CELPS) and was inaugurated by S Siva Kumar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ITC Agribusiness.

Speaking on the occasion, Siva Kumar said that the village mela would help students to know village traditions and rural culture. “Serenity and innocence lace the village life and unity. There is need to preserve the village traditions and culture by organising several programmes to create awareness among the students,” he said.

Ram Prasad, director of AHPS said that Hello Farmer aims to create awareness on traditional Indian science of agriculture and incorporate knowledge about villages among the students. The village mela programme helped number of student to understand the village culture and traditions as they directly participated ploughing of field, milking cows, riding on bullock cart with loads of paddy crop, sowing and harvesting paddy, cotton and other crops at one place. “We are planning to organise more programmes on village traditions and culture to create awareness among the students,” Sri Krishna, Correspondent of AHPS said.

He said that the Academic Heights Public School has 25 branches across the country and they are planning to extend the service setting up 100 schools in the India by 2012.

By MOULI MAREEDU

mouli@expressbuzz.com

Experiencing village life, first hand

20 % of licensed gun owners yet to deposit arms

At least 20 per cent of licensed gunholders in Hyderabad commissionerate limits have not deposited their weapons with the police though they have been asked to do so in view of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections on November 23. Meanwhile, 700 history-sheeters were bound over (surrendering and reporting at a police station) out of the existing 1,000. Most of the history-sheeters are from the South Zone (Old City) in Hyderabad, according to police reports. At least 5,000 people have licensed guns under the Hyderabad Commissionerate limits. There are 1,000 history-sheeters in this zone. In the Cyberabad commissionerate on the other hand, there are 1,200 well-known citizens who have obtained gun licenses. And there are 300 history-sheeters. To ensure security during the GHMC elections, both Hyderabad and Cyberabad police asked licensed gun-holders to deposit their weapons and history-sheeters have been asked to report at police stations. Hyderabad City Police Commissioner B Prasada Rao told Expresso that as many as 80 per cent of licensed gun holders deposited their guns at police stations while 60 per cent of history-sheeters have reported at police stations. “We sent notices to all gun holders. A few are not in the city right now. At least 20 per cent of the gun holders are yet to deposit their firearms,” he said. A majority of licensed gun-holders in the Hyderabad Commissionerate are from the film fraternity, realtors, businessmen and some are the top brass belonging to the Information Technology sector. “As many as 700 history-sheeters were bound over (reporting at concerned police stations) and police operations to nab rest have begun. The history-sheeters are being counselled everyday to ensure a peaceful atmosphere during the GHMC elections,” Prasada Rao said. In the Cyberabad Commissionerate limits, at least 1,217 gun license holders have submitted their weapons. As many as 250 history- sheeters have reported at the police stations. “As of now, no case has been registered and we have not received even a single complaint from the public on violation of election code and conduct,” said Prasada Rao. A number of ‘shadow teams’ each comprising senior police officials assisted by head-constables have been formed to cover the movements of political leaders. By MOULI MAREEDU

Courting death on railway tracks

Can anyone crossing the railway tracks fail to take notice of an approaching train? While there is no convincing reason as to how it is possible, that a train, so huge in size, is approaching a person and he/she fails to take notice, statistics available with the Government Railway Police show that hundreds of people die every year while crossing railway tracks in the Twin Cities. As many as 237 people have died this year (from January to September) in the three circles — Secunderabad circle, Hyderabad circle and Kachiguda circle. GRP officials told Expresso that, perhaps, people crossing the tracks “feel” that they would be able to make it to the other end, even as a train is hurtling towards them. But then, they do not and end up getting hit by the train. S Rajasekhar Rao, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Railways, told Expresso that the problem is more in thickly populated areas close to the railway tracks.“People, perhaps, feel that they can cross the track but fail to make it. Busy with their hectic schedules, most of them are in a tearing hurry which results in the mishap,” he says adding that it is always advisable to let the train pass and then cross the track but not at unmanned level crossings. Of the 237 deaths this year, 84 people died while crossing the tracks from various places under the Kachiguda circle followed by 83 in Hyderabad circle while in Secunderabad circle, 70 people died. The officials have identified various spots under these circles as ‘death prone’. In the Secunderabad circle, there are three tracks from Secunderabad to Medchal, Aler and Miryalaguda. In the Kachiguda circle, it is from Kachiguda to Mahbubnagar upto Kurnool town and in the Hyderabad circle — the tracks from Hyderabad to Tandoor. “More deaths are registered from Kachiguda and Hyderabad circles. The reason is that the railway tracks of these two circles pass through congested localities,” said Rajasekhar Rao. Falaknuma in the Kachiguda circle and Necklace Road station near Raj Bhavan are identified as the most dangerous death spots. “We have been organising awareness camps to educate people against crossing the tracks. Due to this, the number of deaths has come down when compared to the last two years,” the DSP said. Another official however felt that there could be some psychological problems related to such deaths. “Logically, it is impossible to believe that someone cannot take notice of a train approaching them. But then, it is happening,” he said. BY MOULI MAREEDU

Venerable lodge in for royal flushing

When the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb conquered the Kingdom of Golconda in 1687, the Baradari building housed his administration and his son, Shah Alam’s engagement was held in the aesthetic building. Now, the heritage building, housing the Freemasons Lodge, situated in Goshamahal in Hyderabad is going to be a public urinal. Incidentally, it is the oldest building housing a Freemasons Lodge in the country. The city of Hyderabad famous for its monuments, which were built hundreds of years ago by the nawabs and Nizams, now, are being destroyed by the apathetic officials of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). A 325-year-old heritage building, the Goshamahal Baradari Masonic building is a case in point. B Nataraj, secretary of the Goshamahal Baradari Masonic Building Committee (GBMBC) told ‘Expresso’ that the historical building Baradari Freemasons Lodge is soon to become a public toilet as the GHMC officials gave permission to a contractor to set up one under Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis. “A few months ago, GHMC officials tried to construct a public toilet and failed as the building committee opposed their move. After a long gap, the GHMC officials took up the move to build a public toilet attached to the boundary of the Baradari Masonic building. Our complaints to the officials fell on deaf ears,” he laments. The Goshamahal Baradari means ‘Secluded Palace for ladies’. Gosha is the veil worn by Muslim women and Baradari means a building with 12 doors. The historical building was built by Sultan Abu Hasan, the last Sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, which ruled the kingdom of Golconda. D Ramachandram, one of the members of the building committee said that the Nizam constructed the present structure in memory of his beloved, Nanni Sanwali, an orphan, who died before they could be married. She requested that, as a memorial, he should build a public bath for ladies. When Nizam Osman Ali Khan was ruling Hyderabad, he donated the building to the Freemasons to set up their Lodge there. The Nizam himself was a Freemason. In 1933, the building was officially given to Freemasons and now it is being maintained by a committee formed by senior citizens. “Now the building is being used by the Freemasons to run the Masonic Study Circle, and the library is housed in one corner. A portion of the ground floor serves as a sewing centre for ladies. Another portion of the ground floor is has the medical centre, where two qualified and experienced doctors provide allopathic and homeopathic medicines free of cost,” said A Sridhar, president of the building committee. “The Baradari building had great significance during the rule of the Nizams. It is unfortunate that the GHMC officials plan to build toilets for the public at the building,” lamented 60- year-old Ahmed Ansari, resident of Goshamahal. mouli@expressbuzz.com By MOULI MAREEDU