Sites have been identified in Shimla for installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras for real-time surveillance of traffic and a command and control centre of the police is being set up. An amount of Rs 50 lakh has been sanctioned under the smart city project and 60 critical, vantage and significant places have been selected for the high-definition cameras with automatic number reading, said SP, Shimla, Mohit Chawala.
The work would be awarded soon with the completion deadline of 45 days. The company, installing the cameras, would also look after the maintenance for three years, he said, adding that the infrastructure of the command and control centre was ready in the SP office and the equipment would be modified as per requirement.
The need for 600 CCTV cameras was stressed in the Shimla city traffic regulation and management plan prepared by the police. At present, there are 60 cameras while 60 will be installed, besides 400 CCTV cameras installed by individuals have already been geo-tagged. The police are also motivating people to install 100 more CCTV cameras at specific locations for safety purposes.
The initiative will help in traffic management, crime control and decision- making regarding mobilisation of the police. In the first phase, CCTV cameras will be installed at critical and vantage locations. These will be integrated with the control room and real-time surveillance will be ensured.
In phase two, all cameras, installed by the police, the municipal corporation and other agencies, will be integrated and in the third phase, intelligent traffic management and e-platform will be established. The idea is to assist the traffic management system in the city smartly with the network of CCTV cameras, sensors, synchronised signals at intersections and the provision of decentralised monitoring stations for the police at important junctions, including a master control room. Moreover, the provision of number-plate reading cameras for automatic challaning for idle parking and traffic violation will help regulate traffic, besides crime control and maintaining law and order effectively.
