Bengaluru: Residents of BDA Kaniminike Housing Project in Kumbalagodu, Kengeri, have sought CCTV cameras at entry and exit points of their 50-acre, 1,500-home layout, citing safety concerns due to heavy public movement via connecting roads to Bengaluru-Mysuru access-controlled highway. Kumbalagodu police said the request, made twice since Feb, has been forwarded to senior officers.The latest push came on July 22. The complaint was a follow-up to an earlier letter written by BDA Kaniminike Residents’ Forum to the state police chief on Feb 25, where residents explained that internal roads of the layout, developed by Bangalore Development Authority, remain open to the public and serve as a key link between neighbouring villages, resulting in constant movement of outsiders and vehicles through the layout.While individual phases within the project already have CCTV cameras and round-the-clock security guards, the forum said the larger, open layout — with several unmonitored entry and exit points — remained exposed. They requested that cameras be installed at these key access points, with a live feed connected directly to Kumbalagodu police station for quicker monitoring and response.The residents also wanted to have their layout brought under mobile crime and criminal tracking network system (MCCTNS), the state-wide initiative under which CCTV installation and geo-tagging of sensitive locations are being carried out.Highlighting the problem of people loitering near the premises and entering the clubhouse, the residents said this prompted them to seek enhanced surveillance, especially after a fake currency printing racket was busted in the area recently.However, BDA informed them that it can’t install cameras covering the main entrance and exit road, following which they submitted a representation to the police commissioner.Shashank B, a resident, said: “Our apartment complex is located on the outskirts of the city and the approach road is frequently used by people from nearby villages, with the highway just a short distance away. Installing CCTV cameras will help deter criminal activities, assist in investigations when required, and enhance the overall sense of security for residents.”Kumbalagodu inspector filed a compliance report dated July 23, stating the request for CCTV installation and geo-tagging under MCCTNS had been taken up and will be forwarded to senior police officers for a final decision.
