Drug Abuse, Traffic, Women’s Safety Key Focus Areas, Says Mohanty

Hyderabad: Cyberabad is one of the largest police commissionerates in the country, spanning 3,500 square kilometres, with 42 police stations, 16 traffic police stations, and 5 Crime Control Stations (CCS). It registers the largest number of FIRs in the region. As such, it presents several challenges to enforce law and order in this vast area, said Cyberabad Commissioner Avinash Mohanty.

In an interview with Deccan Chronicle, the top police of this commissionerate speaks about challenges being faced in respect of traffic management, drug enforcement, and women's safety among others.

Excerpts:

How are you going to deal with the issue of drugs?

Drug trafficking and abuse is the prime focus. The issue is being dealt with at the state level. The anti-narcotics unit has been very active in identifying and dismantling drug networks, conducting regular raids, and collaborating with other departments to intercept drug shipments.

More than 100 awareness programmes were conducted at educational institutions, academic centres and community-level meetings as they play a key role in strategising.

Most drugs were found to come from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, while substances like heroin come from other parts of the country. Our focus is on tracking main suppliers and dealers in the city who sell drugs to end users.

What is your plan for women's safety?

We have a high level of commitment to women’s safety. If you observe, there have been no sensational incidents involving women. Dedicated women's help desks are available at all police stations, along with a 24/7 helpline. The dedicated departments also run self-defence workshops and safety awareness programmes in schools and colleges. The 'She Teams' initiative focuses on preventing and responding to crimes against women, ensuring that they feel safe and supported.

Traffic jams are a problem that people face every day. Any plan to fix it?

Traffic is something we talk about every day. Managing traffic congestion and improving road safety in Cyberabad is really a big task. However, we are managing both of these efficiently.

Intelligent traffic management systems have been introduced to monitor and control traffic flow in real time. Expanding road infrastructure and stricter enforcement of traffic rules reduce accidents and congestion.

The traffic department alone has over 900 members working on the ground. As the area expands and the number of police stations increases, more staff will be required.

Cyberabad has 2,00,000 volunteers, with over 300 active participants every day at junctions and signals daily. I appreciate the support of IT employees who act as traffic volunteers during demanding situations such as rains, heavy traffic at junctions, and special occasions.

Upcoming projects are aimed at reducing traffic-related incidents, including the implementation of more pedestrian-friendly roads and dedicated cycling lanes.

Cybercrime is on the rise. How do the police department plan to curb it?

Online fraud and identity theft have seen a slight increase due to the growing use of digital platforms. However, there has been a reduction in street crimes, because of increased patrolling and community awareness programmes.

What are your hobbies?

During my free time, I prefer to take a rest and spend time with my family. We have a seven-year-old child in our family, with whom I have a great time.

Who was your inspiration?

My inspiration to become an IPS officer came from my father, who was a respected police officer who instilled in me the values of discipline and service. His dedication to the community motivated me to follow in his footsteps.

What is your message to aspiring civil servants?

I advise them to stay committed to their goals, work hard, and continuously update themselves with current affairs. The career of a civil servant is about serving the community and making a positive impact.