Pune: In a bid to ensure the safety and security of devotees, Mahalakshmi Temple and Jyotiba Temple in Kolhapur are set to receive a technological upgrade. The temple committee recently submitted an affidavit to the Bombay High Court, outlining their plans to introduce cutting-edge security measures, including jammers and state-of-the-art CCTV cameras with facial recognition capabilities within the temple premises.
A total of 107 CCTV cameras are slated to be installed across the temple premises, primarily to enhance the safety of devotees. Similar to the security procedures at airports, the belongings of visitors entering the temples will undergo inspection, which has already led to a noticeable decrease in theft incidents within the temple area.
Currently, security personnel are stationed within the temples to monitor the movements of devotees and manage queues. The affidavit indicates that hiring additional armed guards would place a significant financial burden on the temple committee. Consequently, the temple committee has taken proactive measures to safeguard visitors. However, the appointment of trained armed guards remains subject to a court-issued stay. In light of this, the temple committee has submitted a request to the High Court, through an affidavit, to lift the moratorium. The High Court has adjourned the hearing until December 20, declining to lift the stay at this stage.
