KMC to take GPS help to improve surveillance at parks

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has planned to improve the surveillance of its parks with the help of Global Positioning System (GPS).

Debashis Kumar, member of mayor in council on Wednesday said talks with private firms were on and selection in this regard will be held soon.

Kumar said it would help the civic authorities to monitor its parks and to carry out the maintenance whenever it is necessary. There were around 650 parks in the city.

He said that the KMC had decided to install solar lights in the parks in phases. This will reduce the electricity bills and facilitate the birds to live peacefully at night.

At Deshpriya park, solar lights have been installed and it would be put up in 16 more parks soon. After the parks were closed the power of lights were brought down to facilitate the birds. 

It may be recalled that the animal welfare groups had raised voice against the KMC after trident lamps were installed. 

They maintained that as the lights were bright it had been difficult for birds to stay on the trees at night. 

They had requested the civic authorities not to install trident lamps near the trees.

Kumar said that as the power of lights were reduced, there would not any problem for birds to stay on the trees. Steps have also been taken to beautify the boulevards along Southern Avenue and those situated in other areas. There will also be sitting arrangements mainly for the aged people. “We want to beautify the city which is our aim along with providing better amenities to the people.”