VIJAYAWADA: Though the city police have been making efforts to set up CCTV cameras at the traffic junctions and other important places in the city, it may take considerable amount of time to translate their efforts into reality.
As a part of the Capital region, the city is all set to witness a spurt in the VIP visits and there is a need for proper surveillance which may be done through the CCTV network.
The Police Department and the VMC have made proposals to the government a few months back for replacement of the existing non-functioning traffic signals at 18 junctions with intelligent video surveillance signal systems and installation of more than 400 CCTV cameras at the traffic signals and crowded areas in the city in PPP mode. However, there is little response from the government till date.
Surveillance cameras have to be installed by the police at traffic junctions and vantage points or crowded areas like market places. There is a great need for surveillance cameras at these places to keep an eye on the anti-social elements and to check crime.
According to senior police officials in the city, “Surveillance is paramount. Right now, CCTV cameras have been set up at only two places in the city - Benz Circle and Ramesh Hospital. Lack of funds is a major constraint for the ineffective visual surveillance.”
Officials said that `10 crore was needed for the video surveillance signalling system. They also said that not less than `35 lakh is required to install them at each junction in the city. The official further said no funds were allocated by the state government till date for CCTV cameras despite several requests. “Now, we are trying to create public awareness with a campaign for installation of the CCTV cameras in each and every lane of the city to ensure tight security. The campaign will start in a couple of weeks,” he disclosed.
He said as the Dasara festival was set to begin in a week, high resolution CCTV cameras would be arranged at the Durga Ghat with the existing funds of the Police Department.
Besides video surveillance, the city appears to be in a pathetic condition due to the lack of proper traffic signalling systems. Out of the 34 traffic signals in the city, only 16 are functioning.
This apart, the city needs about 117 new traffic signals at Auto Nagar Gate, Raghavaiah Park junction, Patamata High School junction and old RTC bus-stand junction.
The Police Department has even requested the VMC to offer ad-space in the city to private companies, which come forward to set up traffic signaling system and CCTV cameras in PPP mode.