By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Haridwar, 25 Apr: Uttarakhand Police have made a move to ensure that the pilgrims and visitors at the Kumbh Mela 2027 do not suffer due to cybercrime and online fraud. The police have planned the establishment of a dedicated cyber police station specifically for the Kumbh Mela event. This information was shared today by IG, Kumbh Mela, Yogendra Singh Rawat.
Rawat has shared that the facility of Cyber Police Station will be staffed by police personnel who are experts in information technology and cyber security to ensure the swift and effective resolution of complaints. Both the Kumbh Mela administration and the local police force are actively engaged in finalising their preparations and strategic blueprints to manage the massive influx of devotees. A formal proposal to establish approximately 35 police posts for the Kumbh Mela 2027 has been submitted to the state government.
IG Yogendra Singh Rawat observed that, as the digital age progresses, digital crime is also on the rise and that the cybercrime is rapidly becoming an integral component of this trend. This, he stated, has necessitated establishment of a separate cyber station to provide specialised assistance. Furthermore, a formal requisition for the necessary deployment of a police force for the Mela has been submitted to the government, and the administration expects the allocation of these forces in the near future.
Rawat shared that the security at the Kumbh Mela will involve the deployment of Provincial Armed Constabulary along with various paramilitary forces to ensure comprehensive coverage. Simultaneously, construction work for the CCR 2 building, located adjacent to the existing CCR building, is currently underway. This new four-storey facility will be equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and is designed to house all technical, security, and communication units responsible for overall Mela management. A helipad will also be constructed on the roof of the building, allowing helicopters to land directly on top of the CCR tower, facilitating rapid response and aerial monitoring. Additionally, a separate, advanced control room will be established within this complex, which will serve as the central hub for the CCTV surveillance network covering the entire Kumbh Mela area.
According to Rawat, the administration will leverage modern technological solutions to enhance efficiency. Notably, artificial intelligence will be utilised to assist in real-time traffic management and crowd control. In addition, AI-based cameras will be capable of identifying suspicious items, such as abandoned bags or metallic objects, thereby significantly strengthening the security apparatus. The IG Kumbh Mela also claimed that foolproof security arrangements will be implemented for the Kumbh Mela and that the requisition for force deployment will be carefully calculated based on projected requirements. A segment of the security personnel is expected to arrive in Haridwar by the end of this month. Currently, the police force is deployed to ensure safety during the Char Dham Yatra and will subsequently be involved in the Kanwar Mela. Once the Kanwar Mela concludes, the majority of the security forces will be transitioned to Haridwar for the Kumbh Mela operations. Regarding the operational model of the new unit, Rawat stated that the cyber station for the Kumbh Mela will function similarly to the existing cyber police stations in Dehradun and Kumaon. The facility is being structured to ensure an immediate response to any reported cybercrime, which will play a critical role in safeguarding pilgrims from falling victim to online fraud and financial deceit throughout the duration of the event.
