Gandhinagar: Gujarat govt has embarked on a project to integrate CCTV cameras installed across govt offices and establishments into a common network, with plans to use the resulting database for purposes beyond surveillance.The network will be used to improve administrative efficiency and resource deployment.State home department, which is spearheading the initiative, has held meetings with startups, technical support providers, and service agencies. The department is exploring technological requirements and the implementation framework.“Stakeholders have also been asked to suggest ways to integrate cameras operating on different specifications and configurations,” said a govt source.The proposed network is expected to span the govt’s administrative spectrum, from village-level offices of talatis and schools in remote areas to the chief minister’s office.Currently, CCTV systems operated by different departments function largely in isolation, and differences in equipment specifications and configurations complicate integration.Gujarat has around 1 lakh CCTV cameras in its cities and towns alone, operated by police and civic authorities. Ahmedabad accounts for approximately 8,000 cameras installed by city police and AMC.The number of cameras across govt offices and establishments is expected to be substantially higher.On expanding CCTV data use beyond conventional security, an official said, “Revenue department could use the data to support its administrative functions, while the education department could draw on relevant inputs to improve resource deployment.”Artificial intelligence tools are expected to play a key role in processing and analysing the footage. The proposed system could let individual departments customise data analysis.Govt is currently examining technical and operational aspects of the initiative.
