Police commissioner RP Sharma flags off PCR motorbikes in Cuttack. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, July 12: Police today added 16 new high-powered motorcycles to its fleet of the PCR (police control room) bikes to beef up patrolling in the city.

The number of patrolling motorcycles with the police has now gone up to 45, said police commissioner R.P. Sharma. He said these motorcycles would play a crucial role in controlling crime, including incidents of eve teasing.

In 2012, five high-powered bikes with 225CC engines were inducted in the PCR system for the first time. In December last year, 24 more bikes were added to the fleet.

“The motorcycles have been successful in checking petty crimes and other nuisance in public places. The overall response time, taken by the cops in their respective zones, has also improved with the introduction of the motorcycle PCR system,” said Sharma.

The police sources said three PCR motorcycles would be provided to each urban police station, while two each would be allotted to rural police stations with Cuttack city police. The personnel engaged in the motorcycle PCR system have been asked to follow certain guidelines, while carrying out patrolling on various routes within the city. A senior official said each PCR motorcycle would cover various banks and other commercial centres to check crime.

Each PCR bike has been assigned with a notebook, while the constables have been asked to collect the signatures of various guards deployed at various ATMs and banks. This will ensure that each cop on his PCR bike is covering the allotted route, apart from regular patrolling in narrow lanes and by lanes of the city.

Apart from the motorcycle PCR system, the police are also preparing a roadmap for effectively implementing the community policing system in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

At present, the concept of Ama Police (our police) has been introduced at two police stations — Markatnagar police station in Cuttack and Badagada police station in Bhubaneswar.

An official said two special committees — residents’ committee and voluntary committee — would be set up shortly. The residents’ committee will be formed to address various local issues amicably and identify persons creating nuisance in their respective areas.

Similarly, the voluntary committee will assist the cops in intensifying and streamline patrolling measures in various parts of the twin cities.

“We are still preparing a mechanism to constitute both the committees within a couple of months, while a draft proposal is being prepared to increase the manpower to meet the shortage at the level of sub-inspectors,” said Sharma.

Sources said that of the total 277 sub-inspector’s posts in the city police system in the twin cities, 134 are lying vacant.