GANDHINAGAR, July 8, 2013: For the first time, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will monitor the annual rath yatra (procession) of Lord Jagannath in Ahmedabad this year.

The route of the procession passes through communally sensitive areas of the city, which witnesses tight security on the day.

"The two UAVs will conduct aerial patrolling, monitor the rath yatra procession and click digital photographs to facilitate peaceful festival," Gujarat Director General of Police Amitabh Pathak said here today.

There would be heavy deployment of police and Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF). In addition to UAVs, 20 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras will be installed at various places.

The 136th rath yatra of Lord Jagannath will be taken out on July 10 (Asadhi Bij) this year.

Fourteen CAPF companies -- Border Security Force (6), Rapid Action Force (4), Central Reserve Police Force (2) and Central Industrial Security Force (2) -- will be deployed in Ahmedabad city to prevent anti-social elements from creating mischief, Deputy Commissioner of Police Mahesh Nayak said.

Eight teams of Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) will also be available. Two DIGP-rank officers, 19 superintendents of police, 46 deputy superintendents of police, 160 police inspectors, 100 police sub inspectors, 1,400 head constables and constables, two platoons of women police constables and 25 SRP companies will be deployed from outside the city, Pathak said, adding that this force would be in addition to city police.

Source: The Times of India, DT. July 8, 2013.