Hydrogen balloons help cops monitor red zones

Vadodara: Lockdown may have been lifted but police continue to monitor areas that fall under red zone in the city.
The police have released four hydrogen balloons equipped with cameras in four areas affected by coronavirus. Cops are able to keep an eye on each and every lane in these areas and enforce lockdown strictly.
“We have launched hydrogen balloons in Nagarwada, Tandalja, Wadi and Panigate areas. We monitor these zones round the clock and also conduct regular patrolling. If cameras fitted in these balloons see people flouting lockdown rules in these areas, a team of cops reach the spot,” said Anupam Singh Gahlaut, city police commissioner.
The balloons are also fitted with public announcement system that conveys message to citizens. Gahlaut said the new method has been effective and has helped in increasing safety measures for policemen on duty in the red zones.
“Earlier, we had to visit every nook and corner for patrolling in these areas. Now we visit the spots only when we find people flouting lockdown rules,” said a police official.