BHUBANESWAR: With hundreds CCTV cameras installed in police stations and outposts lying non-functional, Odisha Police has sought release of`76 crore from the government for their restoration and maintenance. The amount was earmarked for the CCTV surveillance system but had been surrendered in the 2025-26 financial year.
In a letter to the Home department, additional chief secretary, ADG (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar requested a high-level meeting to deliberate upon the matter and consider the release of funds amounting to `76 crore under the supplementary budget for onward payment to the Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) towards installation and maintenance of the CCTV system.
Official sources said CCTV cameras have been installed in 645 police stations and 263 police outposts across the state. During a meeting of police and Home department officials earlier in March this year, OCAC was requested to ensure that the CCTV cameras installed in all police stations and outposts of the state remain fully operational.
However, as many as 795 CCTV cameras in police stations and 33 in outposts were found to be offline as on September 17. As per the Supreme Court’s guidelines, CCTV cameras are required to be maintained in fully-functional condition round-the-clock.
Kumar urged the additional chief secretary to issue necessary directions to OCAC for immediate restoration of all non-functional CCTV cameras installed in police stations and outposts in the state.
The Orissa High Court had also earlier directed the state government to install CCTV cameras at all police stations and outposts. The direction was issued after the alleged custodial torture of an Army officer and his fiancee in Bharatpur police station here in September 2024.
The High Court had ordered that all the police stations and the police outposts in the state must be fully equipped with aptly placed and duly located CCTV cameras by March 2025. However, it has not been ensured so far, said sources.