Watchtower, speed boat: New lake police unit to keep an eye on Durgam Cheruvu

Hyderabad: The Cyberabad police on Monday launched a lake policing unit equipped with a watchtower, CCTVs, electric vehicles, and a boat at Durgam Cheruvu. The unit will have 10-20 police officers who will patrol the area regularly.

Telangana DGP M. Mahender Reddy along with Cyberabad police commissioner Stephen Raveendrta inaugurated the watchtower, EVs, patrol boat, and 66 CCTVs at Durgam Cheruvu lake which is spread over 100 acres.

Of the 66 CCTV cameras, 56 cover the entire 4.2-km walking track while 10 are set up on the cable bridge. All are connected to the command and control at the watchtower. Rs. 70 lakhs was spent on the CCTV cameras by Raheja Company.

Three electric bikes and a speed boat will patrol the lake area round the clock. One sub-inspector rank officer will head the lake police and 12 police officers will man the tracks, bridge, and water. Three police constables (PCOs) have been assigned for bike patrolling, one PCO for boat patrolling, and one PCO each to observe the CCTVs and the watchtower.

Telangana Tourism provided the speed boat while Hala Mobility provided the three e-bikes.

The Cyberabad police said the watchtower was inaugurated anticipating an increase in crimes against women, traffic congestion, and petty property offences when IT employees start returning to offices.

On weekends a large number of people come to see Durgam Cheruvu and head to the cable bridge. The Cyberabad police have tightened security at Durgam Cheruvu as the number of tourists has increased. "At the same time, the cable bridge and Durgam Cheruvu has become a suicide spot. To prevent such incidents, the police department has stepped in to provide protection to passengers without causing any inconvenience," said the DGP.