Delhi to get more CCTV cameras

MUMBAI, INDIA: In the wake of Mumbai terror attack, the security that includes prevention and detection of crime has become pivotal in the national capital, Delhi. Ironically, the tall claim by the Delhi Police Commissioner seems to have fallen flat.

BK Gupta, Commissioner, Delhi Police recently advocated technology-driven virtual policing in the metro, but unfortunately close to half of the CCTVs, metal detectors and X-ray scanners are apparently non functional.

The police administration seems to have not learned lessons from serial blasts at Paharganj, Sarojini Nagar and Chandni Chowk in October 2005 and five coordinated blasts in September 2008. The Delhi Police is yet to procure 1,045 CCTV cameras from the Electronic Corporation of India(ECIL).

Speaking to CIOL, Rajan Bhagat, spokesperson, Delhi Police said that Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has already placed an order with ECIL. "We have placed an order for CCTV cameras for 27 border check posts and 56 market areas with the corporation through MHA," Bhagat said.

Despite of mounting security concerns, Delhi Police does not seem serious to put efforts in getting them installed. Surprisingly, Bhagat informed that they have no information about the progress and status of this procurement. This underlines the lack of zeal by the Delhi Police.

On contrary to general security in the metro, Delhi Police had installed more than 350 CCTV cameras alone for the CWG opening ceremony at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. The administration had also spent more than Rs 100 crore on X-ray scanners and metal detectors for games.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan however today said that red tapism is responsible for holding up procurement of crucial security equipment like CCTV cameras.