Coimbatore: In a proactive move to enhance road safety, the rural police have installed 40 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras along the perilous and winding Valparai ghat route. This initiative aims to monitor traffic, deter reckless driving, and prevent fatal accidents similar to the tragic incident on April 17 that claimed 10 lives.
Strategic Placement at Hairpin Bends
The police have strategically positioned one camera at each of the 40 sharp hairpin bends along the route. Currently, 17 of these cameras are fully operational, equipped with active cellular network connectivity via SIM cards, enabling real-time monitoring. Efforts are underway to equip and connect the remaining 23 cameras.
Protection Against Wildlife
The CCTV units are being installed with robust external cage protection designed to shield the delicate equipment from monkeys and other wild animals prevalent in the area. This ensures the cameras remain functional and secure.
Multi-Purpose Surveillance Network
District Superintendent of Police K Karthikeyan stated that the cameras come with a continuous seven-day data storage capacity. "Apart from tracking vehicle speed and curbing rash driving, we plan to utilize this surveillance network to efficiently manage peak tourist traffic during weekends and closely monitor forested boundaries to track and prevent illegal logging activities in the region," he said.
The installation of these cameras marks a significant step towards improving safety on one of the region's most accident-prone roads. With real-time monitoring and data storage, authorities hope to reduce accidents and enhance overall traffic management.
