Vijayawada top cop reviews F1H2O arrangements

Addressing a press conference at his chamber here, Rao said that as per the directions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the department will provide ‘invisible policing’.

Vijayawada City Police Commissioner Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao (File photo | EPS)

VIJAYAWADA: Around 1,600 police personnel have been deployed to ensure fool proof security for the three-day F1H2O international powerboat race which is to kick-start in Krishna river at Berm Park from Friday, said Vijayawada City Police Commissioner Ch Dwaraka Tirumala Rao on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference at his chamber here, Rao said that as per the directions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, the department will provide ‘invisible policing’.

“Most of our staff will discharge their duties in plane clothes and special intervention teams have also been constituted to prevent untoward incidents from taking place near the venue,” he said, adding that traffic restrictions will also be imposed on various routes across the city. 

Nine parking slots have been developed near the venue. Vehicles heading towards the city from Hyderabad will be diverted through Sitara Junction and traffic restrictions will be imposed on Prakasam Barrage for the event.

Security at the venue

• As part of executing their security plan, the city police has accorded top priority to providing security at and around the venue, traffic management, and crowd control management
• As many as 196 foreigners reached the city to witness the racing event. Accommodation has been provided to them at three major hotels, Taj Gateway, DV Manor and Fortune Murali Park
• Traffic pilots will accompany the buses carrying foreigners to provide a hassle-free journey 
• On all three days of the event, Bhavani Island will be under the control of NDRF personnel and city police presence will be nominal