The Arvind Kejriwal Government has fast-tracked the process for installation of CCTV cameras to keep surveillance on 1,260 km long roads in the national Capital. The Government has already ordered setting up of a five-member committee to finalise preliminary estimates for accord of the administrative approval and executive expenditure of the mega-project.
At a high-level meeting, chaired by PWD Minister Satyendra Jain, a decision has been taken that CCTV cameras should be installed on roads being looked after by the PWD.
The Government has already earmarked Rs 200 crore in the current fiscal for the PWD to execute this project. But the entire exercise would not cover the provision for installation of the CCTV cameras provided under the MlA local Development Funds, said sources. Each MlA in Delhi gets Rs four crore to carry out development works in their respective areas. Of the total amount, the legislator has to pay Rs one crore to the Delhi Jal Board. Of the remaining amount, MlAs are free to spend the money on installation of CCTV cameras in their constituencies.
Of a total of 30,000 km of roads in Delhi, about 1,260 km are being looked after by the PWD. "Providing CCTV cameras on the PWD roads would be undertaken comprehensively along with digitisation programme of the Government when CCTV, WiFi, street lights will be dove-trailed with fibre network for smart features," a senior officer said.
"Also e-collection of toll is under active consideration of the Government which would entail typical CCTV cameras for specific functional use. Therefore, covering PWD roads by CCTV has to be comprehensive along with various stakeholders and cannot be taken up in isolation," the officer said.
To fast-track the process, Jain has directed the officers to set up a five-member committee headed by the Chief Project Manager (CCTV, WiFi, street lights, to ensure timely submission of accord of the administrative approval and executive expenditure of the project. The other members of the high-level committee will be representatives from the Urban Development, Information Technology and Home Departments and Superintending Engineer or Executive Engineer of the PWD.
Officials at the meeting were told to immediately identify vulnerable areas where dumping of garbage on roadside is a perpetual nuisance and high footfall areas like places of worship be immediately brought under the CCTV surveillance. Necessity of CCTVs is predominantly felt in areas other than roads which include colonies and markets. The minister told the officers that these areas are frequented by women and there was an urgent need to keep surveillance on them for their safety.