Cops use copter to monitor idol immersion

To monitor traffic movement during the immersion of Durga’s idols at specific ghats in the city, Delhi Traffic Police for the first time used a twin engine helicopter.

“The twin engine helicopter has been hired from Pawan Hans Helicopters. It is being used to effectively monitor and regulate traffic situation during immersion of Durga idols,” Muktesh Chander, Special Commissioner (Traffic) Delhi Police said. Traffic officers are keeping a watch and guiding traffic cops on the field through wireless, he said. “All the ghats and roads leading to the immersions as well as the general areas which are being affected are being surveyed. Aerial videography is also being done” said the officer. Immersion of Durga idols started on Thursday with majority of idols taken in processions at various ghats for immersion in the Yamuna.

The processions comprising several types of vehicles congregated at Kudesia Ghat, Geeta Ghat, Shyam Ghat, Kalindi Kunj, Chatth Puja Ghat and Chilla Ghat.

The joint Puja procession Committee took out its procession from Kali Bari Mandir on Mandir Marg to Kudesia Ghat along the Yamuna bank near ISBT. The combined Durga Puja procession was taken from Chitaranjan Park’s Kali Mandir to Kalindi Kunj ghat.

The traffic on several roads was affected due to the movement of these processions from the afternoon till late evening, the traffic police officials said. 

Heavy traffic jams were reported at the Mandir Marg, Panchkuian Road, Connaught Place, Outer Circle, Minto Road, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Outer Ring Road and Chittaranjan Park, said a traffic official. Apart from these, traffic movement was normal in the other parts of the city, the official added.