Pune cops want 1,000 CCTV cameras to police city

To keep tabs on the movements of anti-social elements, the Pune police have chalked out a plan to put up about 1,000 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras with wireless connectivity in different locations across the city. The project proposal was sent to the state home department in the first week of October for approval.

Under the plan, the police have divided the city in two regions and each region has two zones. The deputy commissioners of police of each zone conducted a survey in their areas and submitted reports to senior police officers, following which the plan was drawn up. A senior police officer expressed optimism that the home department would approve the proposal.

Highlighting the imperative need for such gadgets on priority, police officials said had such gadgets been in place earlier, it would have helped them identify the suspects in the recent Bibvewadi rioting case to make progress in the investigations.

According to some officials, the threat perception to Pune from terrorists is extremely high. “Pune is a prominent city in the country. It has been receiving frequent terror alerts from various security agencies. Hence, installing such gadgets would definitely make a difference to policing the city,’’ one officer said.

Once the CCTVs are installed, the city police would ensure round-the-clock monitoring of malls, hotels, theatres and crowded public places.

“The cost of the proposal and quality of the cameras will be decided by the home department,’’ a police officer added.