Delhi government has embarked on its dream project to install 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras in Delhi. Under the scheme, 2,000 CCTV cameras will be installed in each and every constituency of Delhi.
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With the intention to strengthen women security and law in order, the Delhi government has embarked on its dream project to install 1.4 lakh CCTV cameras in Delhi. Under the scheme, 2,000 CCTV cameras will be installed in each and every constituency of Delhi.
Apart from the installation of these cameras, tendering for another 1.5 lakh cameras has also been started.
The Delhi government had Member of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) on-board for earmarking the spots for installation of CCTV cameras. As per information, the survey for this purpose has already ended and installations have begun.
City Spidey has learnt that the survey for identification of location with RWAs had begun around four to five months back. “Three teams were involved while conducting survey in my area - Delhi police, RWA representatives and there was also an private agency,” P D Bhatt, president of United India Apartments in Mayur Vihar said.
Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was quite upbeat while inaugurating the first phase of the project. He said that the installation will bring relief to women from all age groups in the city.
“No miscreant, chain snatcher and harasser will be let off as the surveillance will greatly help in tracing them. The victim will easily identify the attacker in the footage,” he added.
As per the claims of the Delhi government, these cameras are hi-tech. These cameras will be wireless and will be operated through internet and Wi-Fi connections.
Various RWAs in the city will have access to the records of the CCTV cameras so that they can easily track the incidents. “Live feeds and footage up to 20 days old will be provided to the RWA members, the local Station House Officer (SHO) and also to a central control room at the PWD Headquarters,” added Sisodia.
There is also provision for RWA members to access the footage on their mobile phones. They can access it for tracking damages to their parked vehicles as well.
“It's a good move by the Delhi government but one thing I would say that after installation of CCTV cameras, police’s responsibility will increase. It's good to know that monitoring of these CCTV cameras would be under the police. Now, the police can not say that CCTV was not functional because it will be under their control,” Bhatt added.
The move is also expected to aid the police in big way. The SHOs of the particular jurisdiction will be able to track the feeds on their mobile phones.
RWAs in Delhi have called it a good move, however, many RWAs have many questions on its credibility.
“It looks like a half-cooked plan of the Delhi government. RWAs have been involved in this project but if any incident happens, what role the RWA would play? They called it as 3rd eye. It's fine but will this third eye help in stopping crime against women? I am not questioning about the move but what is overall purpose? The government must be clear on that,” said Ashutosh Dikshit, president of United Residents Joint Action (URJA), a major body of RWAs in Delhi.
