More than 10,500 CCTV cameras are being installed in Surat and Vadodara, cities in the Indian state of Gujarat. In addition to these installations, cameras are also being set up in 52 municipalities and 80 inter-state entry and exit points. The purpose of implementing this extensive surveillance system is to enhance traffic management, enforcement, and criminal case detection.
As part of the project, over 7,000 CCTV cameras have been installed at around 1,200 traffic junctions, entry-exit points, and other strategic locations in 41 places. These include 34 district headquarters, six pilgrimage centers, and the Statue of Unity (SoU), Ektanagar, under the VISWAS Project.
Further developments include the establishment of 34 ‘Netram’ (District Level Command & Control Centre) in each district and the implementation of an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), as stated in a press release by the Gujarat Police.
The CCTV camera system has been integrated with 10,000 body-worn cameras and 19 drone-based camera systems to ensure comprehensive surveillance coverage.
A significant aspect of this initiative is the creation of an integrated command and control center called TRINETRA (i3C), located in the Police Bhawan Campus, Gandhinagar. This center brings together the functionalities of CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras, and drone cameras, facilitating effective monitoring and control.
The installation of these CCTV cameras aims to enhance security and law enforcement by enabling the Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system for monitoring suspicious activities. The cameras will also help in issuing e-challans against traffic violators and monitoring other security-related activities.
The surveillance network is not limited to city borders but also extends to the entry-exit points of the borders with Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli (DDNH) to prevent inter-state criminal activities.
To ensure successful implementation, the project has divided 54 cities into four clusters and assigned work to various agencies. The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has been entrusted with providing point-to-point connectivity at all locations, according to the press note.
The impact of these measures is evident in the improved detection rates of various types of crimes. Between 2018 and 2022, the detection rate increased by 8% for all theft cases, 10% for robbery cases, 7% for house theft cases, and 1% for dacoity cases.
Moreover, the CCTV cameras have proven instrumental in traffic management and enforcement, successfully deployed in over 5,500 events throughout the state.
In terms of road safety, the data from 2018 to 2022 shows encouraging results. The number of road accidents decreased by 16%, injuries due to road accidents decreased by 13%, and deaths resulting from road accidents decreased by 5%, as mentioned in the press release.
The VISWAS Project, which encompasses this comprehensive surveillance system, has received recognition at both national and international levels. The project has received awards in various categories, including the National eGovernance Gold Award (2022), FICCI SMART Policing Award (2022), Skoch Gold Award (2022), Project Management Institute (PMI) USA (2021), Smart Cities India Award (2021), Governance Now India Police Award (2020), and Skoch Gold Award (2019).
Narasimha Komar, Additional Director General of Police (Administration) and Chairman of the VISWAS Task Force, commended the project, stating that the system has played a crucial role in the prevention, detection, and investigation of criminal cases, as well as in traffic management and enforcement.
Expanding the network of CCTV cameras to tier II and III cities and inter-state borders is expected to significantly enhance the capabilities of the Gujarat Police and act as a force multiplier, added Komar.
With the implementation of this extensive surveillance system, the Gujarat Police aims to bolster public safety, enhance law enforcement, and improve traffic management. The VISWAS Project marks a significant milestone in Gujarat’s initiatives towards a more secure and technologically advanced state.
