GUWAHATI, July 20 - Urban planners have decided to give an unprecedented fillip to the security and surveillance mechanism of Guwahati by installing nearly 4,000 close circuit television (CCTV) cameras in strategic locations, including those meant to track down hit-and-run cases.
Ironically, Guwahati at present has only 350-odd CCTV cameras installed, including those maintained by private parties.
Of the 4,000 cameras, nearly 800 would be dedicated for monitoring vehicular traffic, especially road mishaps and hit-and-run cases.
The installations would take place as part of the Smart City project which would be executed by the Guwahati Smart City Limited.
Sources privy to the initiative told The Assam Tribune that the initial plan was to identify the strategic locations to install around 2,000 cameras in the first phase. �The remaining cameras would be installed as per requirement and planning,� the sources divulged.
As per the Union Government, the total proposed cost for the Guwahati Smart City project is estimated at Rs 2,296 crore, including area-based development cost of Rs 1,579 crore (approx) and pan city cost of around Rs 622 crore (approx).
The sources went on to state that the installation process of the CCTV cameras would be done under the supervision of Assam Police as it is directly related to safety and security of the citizens.
�As planned, the project would put under surveillance all the public places, including tourist destinations, bus stops, vital installations and vehicular traffic points,� the sources pointed out, adding, �The increased surveillance would mean increase in prevention of crime. Further, it would help detection of the culprits.�
Many believe that once all the 4,000 cameras are installed, Guwahati will be rated among cities with one of the highest density of CCTV cameras keeping in view its size and population.
Replying to a question, a senior official of the Assam government said that all guidelines would be followed before procuring the cameras and there will be no compromise on their quality and efficiency.
�All the nitty-gritties of the instalment process, including the maintenance and servicing of the cameras on a regular basis, would be ensured,� the official said, adding that a dedicated team would be engaged in this regard.
