To further strengthen the security of devotees and the public at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and its surrounding areas, Madurai City Police introduced bicycle patrol for the effective patrolling and monitoring. City police commissioner S Rajendiran, inaugurated the cycle patrolling operation on Tuesday
Madurai : Nearly 50 years after cycle patrols disappeared from Madurai, police bicycle wheels will again join the temple bells and shop shutters around Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. Their return comes before the temple’s first consecration in 17 years, with the main ceremony scheduled for September 17. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news.
A senior officer said the initiative revives a policing method last seen in the city about five decades ago, while adding another layer to the existing beat system. They oversee all types of police operations – crime prevention and detection and crime intelligence,” the official said. The official said patrols on foot or bicycles encouraged more conversations than policing from vehicles, allowing residents, traders and devotees to approach personnel without visiting a station.
Fitted with sirens and loudspeakers, the bicycles will help personnel regulate pedestrian movement, disperse bottlenecks and issue instructions when crowds build up around the shrine. “Initially we have deployed four bicycles for this purpose as a part of the temple’s consecration ceremony. The cycles are suited to the temple quarter, where narrow streets, parked vehicles, vendors and streams of devotees can slow patrol vans. Motorcycles are banned in this zone. Riders can move through the Masi, Chithirai and Avani Moola streets, stop when required and observe corners that may receive less attention from vehicle patrols. Each round will also generate beat-level information on movement, recurring trouble spots and activity around shops, entrances and adjoining lanes. Download the TOI App.
City police commissioner S Rajendiran set the wheels in motion on Tuesday, launching the patrol in the presence of deputy commissioners A G Inigo Thivyan and S Vanitha.