Delhi Government Announces Major Rs 646 Crore CCTV Surveillance Initiative for Women's Safety
The Delhi government has unveiled a comprehensive and ambitious plan to establish a 24x7 CCTV surveillance system across the city, with a projected cost of approximately Rs 646 crore. This initiative is specifically designed to eradicate dark spots and significantly bolster the safety and security of women in the national capital, according to official statements.
Expanding the Existing Surveillance Network
Currently, Delhi boasts over 2.5 lakh CCTV cameras that are installed and meticulously maintained by the Public Works Department (PWD). In a strategic move to enhance coverage, the BJP-led government plans to install an additional 50,000 cameras as part of this new project. This expansion aims to create a more robust and extensive surveillance network that leaves no area unchecked.
Establishing a Central Command Control Centre
A pivotal component of this plan is the development of a state-of-the-art Command Control Centre. The PWD has proposed locating this centre at the MSO building in ITO, although the final decision on the location will be made in consultation with the Delhi Police. "The location, however, will be finalised by the Delhi Police. If they suggest any other suitable location, the PWD will consider it," a senior official confirmed. This centre will grant the Delhi Police direct access, a significant upgrade from previous arrangements.
The Command Control Centre will be equipped with advanced technological infrastructure, including four dashboard and incident modules, a network management server, recording servers with failover capabilities, a streaming server, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) servers with storage devices, essential software, UPS systems, and firewalls. This setup is intended to facilitate real-time monitoring and rapid response to incidents.
Budgetary Allocations and Project Specifications
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, during her maiden budget presentation in the Delhi Assembly last year, had allocated Rs 100 crore for the installation of CCTV cameras in the current financial year. The PWD has now detailed the total project cost at Rs 646.41 crore, which encompasses third-party quality assurance, contingencies, and cess charges.
The project will involve the installation of 49,900 internet protocol (IP) bullet CCTV cameras, each equipped with a 512 GB SD card for data storage. These specifications were provided by the Women and Child Development department in collaboration with the Delhi Police. Additionally, 100 high-resolution 4-megapixel ANPR CCTV cameras with infrared vision will be deployed at identified dark spots. These cameras offer enhanced night visual quality and can resolve details up to 100 metres, ensuring clear footage even in low-light conditions.
Long-Term Maintenance and Sustainability Measures
The PWD has also prepared detailed estimates for the maintenance of these CCTV cameras over the next five years. The projected expenditure is as follows: Rs 50 crore in the current financial year, Rs 300 crore in 2026-27, Rs 93.84 crore in 2027-28, Rs 50.65 crore in 2028-29, Rs 50.65 crore in 2029-30, Rs 50.65 crore in 2030-31, and Rs 50.62 crore in 2031-32.
To ensure the durability and functionality of the cameras, protective cages will be mounted on poles. Furthermore, in a move towards sustainability and reliability, 5,000 solar panels along with lithium-ion batteries will power the cameras, providing a minimum backup of 14 hours. This is particularly crucial for locations where electricity is unavailable or unreliable.
Additional technical specifications include:
- Over 12,100 uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units with sealed maintenance-free batteries, offering a minimum backup of 30 minutes.
- 17,100 suitable outdoor pole-mountable racks for equipment, network video recorders (NVRs), batteries, and storage devices.
This comprehensive surveillance plan underscores the Delhi government's commitment to leveraging technology for public safety, with a focused emphasis on creating a secure environment for women across the city.
