New Delhi: People in many parts of Delhi reportedly tampered with govt-installed CCTV cameras, changing their direction or focus so that they covered their own houses instead of monitoring common areas. Taking note of this, the Public Works Department (PWD) has planned a revamp of its 2.7- lakh CCTV camera network and do a study across the city to assess the condition and positioning of these cameras. Faulty cameras will be replaced, and cameras with higher specifications will be added after consultations with local MLAs, RWAs and police officers. PWD minister Parvesh Verma said the operational life of many cameras installed in the first phase, from 2019 onwards, had ended. “There are also security concerns as several of these are SIM-based Chinese cameras. These will be replaced with new cameras where required. We are appointing a consultant to do a detailed study of the system. The study will review the existing network, examine how the cameras are being utilised, assess actual surveillance requirements and explore ways to strengthen their role in crime prevention. While some areas have a high concentration of cameras, others remain inadequately covered. The review will further examine camera angles and ways to improve data sharing with police for public security,” Verma added. Delhi has one of the world’s largest govt-installed CCTV surveillance networks, with about 2.7 lakh cameras installed by PWD. These don’t include those operated by Delhi Police and other agencies. Constituencies with the highest number of cameras are New Delhi (4,694), Shalimar Bagh (4,584), Seema Puri (4,296), Rajendra Nagar (4,137) and Greater Kailash (4,121). In contrast, Vishwas Nagar (2,080), Gandhi Nagar (2,535), Matia Mahal (2,954), Rohtas Nagar (3,706) and Babarpur (3,675) have comparatively fewer cameras. A survey last year also revealed that more than 7,000 cameras were dysfunctional and several had been tampered with. Verma said the study will evaluate whether cameras are evenly distributed across the city. Officials said the survey will assess the condition, positioning and functioning of the cameras and recommend corrective measures to improve surveillance coverage across neighbourhoods. It will also examine whether cameras were tampered with and whether their current angles are suitable for monitoring common areas and public spaces.
