Belthangady : Smart surveillance devices and an increase in the number of vigilance personnel have been proposed by Superintendent of Police Sharanappa S.D. for preventing thefts on the fuel pipeline between Mangaluru and Bengaluru.

The measures were proposed following a meeting of Mr. Sharanappa with officials from Petronet and HPCL at his office on Thursday, after which Mr. Sharanappa visited the fuel stations of Petronet and HPCL.

Mr. Sharanappa asked officials to frequently use intelligence and smart pigging devices to maintain the pipeline.

He also expressed the need to increase the number of personnel deployed for vigilance.

The vigilance personnel should be provided with adequate number of security personnel whose credentials should be verified by the police and the latter should be carrying deep search metal detectors, he said.

Mr. Sharanappa told officials of the need to have a good relationship with villagers on whose land the pipeline passes.

Officials were also asked to be in constant touch with owners of the land and frequently review security and vigilance measures in consultation with villagers.

The meeting followed a few attempts to allegedly steal fuel by drilling a hole in the pipeline in Belthangady and others parts of the district.

Mr. Sharanappa expressed his concern over the incidents during a recent meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee.