After rolling out its ambitious 'Doorstep Delivery Services', the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government has approved an outgo of Rs 571 crore for the installation of CCTV cameras across the national Capital to enable the much-delayed pet project of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal get going. Installation of CCTV cameras across the national capital was one of the main agenda of the AAP during the 2015 Delhi Assembly polls and Chief Minister Kejriwal.
According to an official of the Delhi Government, the Public Works Department (PWD) in an approval note issued last week has said no cost escalation would be considered for the project.
The Deputy Secretary PWD in the official note issued on September 5 last, had said that the department has given "administrative approval and expenditure sanctions of Rs 571.40 crore, of which Rs 320.96 crore is the capital cost and Rs 250.44 crore is for five years for supplying, installation, testing and commissioning of CCTV cameras and other allied infrastructure at various places in Delhi".
The note also said all the payments to contractors should be made through electronic fund transfer only. The PWD also demanded a quarterly monitoring report and annual performance report.
The project to install the CCTV cameras got the government's approval last month -- three years after the cabinet gave an in-principle approval to it. Approximately 2,000 cameras will be installed in every assembly constituency. Delhi has 70 constituencies.
Installation of CCTV cameras in Delhi was one of the key points in the manifesto of the Aam Aadmi Party to improve the security and safety of the citizens.
It may be noted that AAP government had minced no words in accusing Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal for installing the implementation of the CCTV project. During the nine day long sit in of chief minister inside Rajniwas alongwith his deputy Manish Sisodia, ministers Satyender Jain and Gopal Rai, asking Baijal to sign the file of CCTV project, was one of the key demands.