Guwahati is embarking on a major technological overhaul with a new Rs 177 crore surveillance project designed to tackle its chronic traffic congestion and improve public safety. The initiative comes after a previous, less expensive system failed to meet its objectives.
A Fresh Start After Past Failures
The new Intelligent City Surveillance System (ICSS) project began its implementation in September of last year. This ambitious plan follows the incomplete and unsuccessful Rs 80-crore Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) project, which was launched back in 2022. The earlier project, intended for 95 locations, was only partially set up at about 64 sites and suffered from a lack of proper traffic flow studies.
What the New Smart Surveillance System Includes
According to Mugdhajyoti Dev Mahanta, the deputy managing director of Guwahati Smart City Limited (GSCL), the ICSS is a comprehensive solution. The project involves the installation of a massive network of cameras, including 1,750 CCTV bullet cameras and 250 CCTV Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras across the city. Mahanta confirmed that approximately 1,000 CCTVs have already been installed.
These devices will be strategically placed at prime locations, including crime-prone zones, accident-prone areas, and heavy crowd zones, with the specific spots identified by the Assam Police.
Command Centers and Public Interface
The nerve center of this operation will be an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) and a cloud-based Disaster Recovery Centre, both being set up at Khanapara. The construction is nearly complete, and the centers will be run jointly by GSCL, Assam Police, and the project firm.
From here, a dedicated team will monitor the entire city in real-time and issue necessary instructions to personnel on the ground. Beyond cameras, the project adds a layer of public interaction with public announcement systems and emergency call boxes at 20 locations. Additionally, variable message displays and environmental sensors will be set up at 10 spots.
Scope and Coverage of the Project
The surveillance net of the ICSS project is extensive, reaching all the way to the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport on the city's outskirts. However, the project will not cover the national highway bypass. Authorities are hopeful that this technology-driven approach will provide a lasting solution to Guwahati's traffic and crowd management woes, learning from the shortcomings of the past.
