Gaya, Nov. 16: Bodhgaya is set to become the first town in the state to have closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for security.
According to a proposal of Bodhgaya nagar panchayat, at least 20 permanent CCTV cameras would be installed from Rajapur Sambodhi Dwar to Domuhan Sambodhi Dwar in the city. The Rajapur Sambodhi Dwar is towards Gaya-Bodhgaya Riverside Road and the Domuhan Sambodhi Dwar towards Gaya-Dobhi Road.
The process of installing CCTV cameras has to be completed before the 11-day 32nd Kalchakra Puja scheduled to begin from December 31. Tibetan spiritual leader the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, will lead the Kalchakra Puja to be held at Kalchakra Maidan situated in the northwest of the world heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara.
Tourists and pilgrims from various parts of the country and abroad have already started arriving at the historic town to take part in the Kalchakra Festival.
At present, 15 CCTV cameras are installed on the Mahabodhi Mahavihara campus. Activities on the Mahavihara campus are monitored from the CCTV control room in the office of Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee secretary.
The Mahavihara opens for tourists everyday at 5am and closes at 9pm.
Bodhgaya Nagar Panchayat chairperson Preeti Singh told The Telegraph: “At least three companies are conducting survey of the township to decide important locations where the new CCTV cameras will be installed. Thereafter, companies that will instal the CCTV cameras will prepare an estimate and submit the cost to the nagar panchayat.”
She added: “The nagar panchayat will provide funds for the purpose. In case of any shortage of funds, the state government will be requested to provide the remaining amount. The CCTV cameras will ensure full security of devotees and tourists arriving in Bodhgaya.”
Gaya senior superintendent of police (SSP) Vinay Kumar said there is a proposal for installation of CCTV cameras at Bodhgaya.
“It will help regulate traffic and the crowd besides checking petty crime. After everything is finalised, officers of Bodhgaya police station may be deployed in the CCTV control room on shifts, the SSP added.
