Nagpur's Surveillance Infrastructure Under Fire at District Planning Committee Meeting
The city's surveillance infrastructure came under intense scrutiny during Friday's District Planning Committee meeting, where elected representatives strongly criticized civic authorities over what they described as a "security lapse of alarming proportions." The meeting, held at Planning Bhavan, revealed significant deficiencies in Nagpur's CCTV network that have left key areas without proper monitoring.
Alarming Statistics on CCTV Functionality
Municipal officials disclosed that out of the 3,688 CCTV cameras installed across Nagpur, only 2,300 are currently operational. While authorities have managed to repair 1,290 cameras, approximately 1,200 remain non-functional. The primary cause for this widespread failure has been repeated damage to optic fibre cables during sewer line and other infrastructure projects, creating substantial gaps in the city's surveillance coverage.
Heightened Security Concerns in Vulnerable City
The timing of these surveillance failures is particularly concerning given that central security agencies have recently placed Nagpur among the country's top three cities vulnerable to terror attacks. Intelligence agencies have identified symbolic targets such as the RSS headquarters in Mahal and the Hedgewar Memorial in Reshimbagh as potential objectives, with reports indicating reconnaissance activities by hostile elements in these areas.
Despite multi-layered security arrangements including drone surveillance, anti-sabotage teams, facial recognition systems, and bomb detection squads being implemented to counter potential threats, the incomplete CCTV network represents a significant vulnerability in the city's security apparatus.
Delayed Repairs and Administrative Challenges
Public safety concerns dominated the discussion, with several MLAs questioning why Nagpur's CCTV network had not been fully restored despite administrative approval for installation, repairs, and upgrades being granted in August last year. This approval came nearly four months after the issue was initially raised, yet significant gaps remain in the surveillance system.
Officials informed the committee that CCTV-related works worth ₹25 crore were completed this year and assured that remaining repairs would be finished within the next two months. However, committee members demanded a detailed status report on camera functionality, firm timelines for repairs, and concrete preventive measures to protect surveillance infrastructure from repeated damage.
Political Criticism and Election Code Concerns
MLA Pravin Datke strongly criticized the civic administration after officials attributed delays to the election code of conduct. "The code of conduct does not come in the way of security," he asserted, adding that timely permission should have been sought from the Election Commission to prevent weakening of the surveillance network.
Members also highlighted practical consequences of the surveillance gaps, noting that the lack of functional cameras had already impacted investigations in key cases. They specifically cited the Mahal violence incident, where insufficient CCTV coverage hampered evidence collection and enabled accused persons to secure relief in court.
Immediate Actions and Coordination Measures
Chairing the meeting, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule responded by directing immediate activation of non-functional cameras. He also ordered closer coordination among departments executing excavation and civic works to prevent further damage to fibre optic cables, recognizing the need for better inter-departmental cooperation to protect critical infrastructure.
High-Level Attendance and Oversight
The meeting was attended by numerous dignitaries and officials, reflecting the seriousness of the security concerns:
- MP Shyamkumar Barve
- Minister of State for Finance Ashish Jaiswal
- MLAs Krishna Khopde, Dr Nitin Raut, Vikas Thackeray, Parinay Fuke, Abhijit Vanjari, and Sanjay Meshram
- District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar
- NIT Chairman Sanjay Meena
- Municipal Commissioner Dr Abhijit Choudhary
- ZP CEO Vinayak Mahamuni
The presence of such high-level officials underscores the importance placed on resolving Nagpur's surveillance infrastructure issues and ensuring adequate security measures in a city facing elevated threat levels.
