It’s a delight when change and innovation comes from law enforcers themselves.
Surepally Ravinder, an Inspector at the Panjagutta police station has initiated eco- friendly patrolling in the slums and remote areas of Hyderabad, where constables can ride on their bicycles in the narrowest lanes possible.
The intention is to increase mobility and reach out to people in these far-flung areas shares Inspector Ravinder, who adds, “The main purpose is to interact with these people as they are away from the public eye and to understand their daily problems and difficulties.
By doing this, we can put some safety measures in place for them.”
Dispelling the notion that the constables will not be quick enough to catch wrongdoers, he adds, “Many people think that if the constables are on their bicycles and a crime happens, we police officers will not be able to catch them. That is not true. They will immediately inform us and the other officers who are present nearby to bring in help if needed.”
The initiative also aims to reduce pollution in the city. Surepally Ravinder believes that people will look up to them and start using bicycles, at least to travel shorter distances.
After this 20-day trial, the officers and constables are all set to launch three more bicycles that are electric, so that constables do not have to pedal for 40 kilometres.
“All the constables are very interested in this new project and many are coming forward. We send them to different areas daily, such as Anand Nagar Colony, B. S. Maktha, M. S. Maktha, Pratap Nagar Colony, Balapura Basthi, Yella Reddy Guda, Durganagar and Ambedkar Nagar. All the narrow lanes in these slum areas are covered,” says the Inspector.
They travel in these remote areas from 9 am to 5 pm. Interestingly, the constables are also conducting awareness programmes in these areas to educate people on safety measures and to alert the police in case of danger. Surepally Ravinder is optimistic that the police force will have increased visibility among citizens when they see constables patrolling their roads on bicycles. He has provided them with good and branded bicycles with complete security, phones and helmets. “Now, with the launch of motor based bicycles, we will be able to perform better,” he says.
