Ramanathapuram
As more tourists and pilgrims have started visiting Rameswaram island, especially after the inauguration of the memorial of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, the district police have mooted the idea of setting up a ‘tourist police unit’. This would be an exclusive police platoon to assist the tourists. Superintendent of Police Omprakash Meena stressed the need for establishing the exclusive police unit, while taking part in the recent police officers conference, chaired by Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami in Chennai.
“There is a need for establishing a ‘tourist police unit’ in Rameswaram with a minimum strength of 75 police with an Inspector and three sub inspectors as the number of people visiting the island during weekdays has touched 10,000 and it is almost double during weekends,” the SP said.
Presently, the district police manages the security along with a temporary platoon of Tamil Nadu special police and the local police which was insufficient, he said. “A tourist police unit with soft skill training was required for crowd management, to guide the tourists and pilgrims who visit the memorial, Sri Ramanathaswamy temple and Arichalmunai in Danushkodi”, the SP said.
The SP also suggested setting up of ‘May I Help Yu Desks’, involving ‘tourist police’ at the bus stand, railway station and Agnitheertham seashore to guide the tourists and pilgrims and ensure that they were not taken for a ride by the local lodges, restaurants and auto-rickshaw drivers. The help desks would be equipped to answer all queries of the tourists and provide them a hassle free experience, he added.
“The main objective of setting up the exclusive unit is to help the tourists carry back pleasant experiences and share the same with others in their hometowns,” the SP said adding this would not only help earn a good name for the place but also help increase the tourists flow to the island.
Mr. Meena said the government has also agreed to provide own buildings for four police stations at Kilakarai, Valinokkam, Peraiyur and Nainarkoil, each at a cost of ₹50 lakh and a camp office in Mudukulathur at a cost of ₹65 lakh.
