NEW DELHI: In a decisive move, the Public Works Department (PWD) has initiated the phased removal of Chinese-origin CCTV cameras installed across the capital during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party, citing security concerns.
Delhi currently has 2,74,389 CCTV cameras installed by the PWD under major phases, including 1,40,000 cameras installed in Phase 1 (September 2020 to November 2022) and 1,34,389 cameras installed in Phase 2 (June 2025 to March 2026).
Sources claimed that all 1,40,000 cameras installed in Phase 1 were from a Chinese company that has faced global scrutiny over security concerns.
Taking a sharp stance, PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh on Wednesday said, “The Aam Aadmi Party installed Chinese Hikvision cameras across Delhi without thinking about the long-term security implications. Surveillance infrastructure is not just about visibility, it is about control over sensitive data."
"This was not a routine procurement decision. When you deploy such systems across an entire city, you are making a national security choice. Unfortunately, the Aam Aadmi Party failed to recognise that,” he added.
Detailing the government’s decision and the challenges faced on the ground, the Minister said, “We have decided to phase out a significant portion of the CCTV cameras installed across the city, particularly those sourced from Chinese firms, in line with recent government directives and broader security considerations."
"Therefore, we will be gradually replacing cameras with updated systems that meet current technical standards, offer better data security and are supported by a robust supply and service ecosystem. The transition will be carried out in a phased manner to avoid any disruption in surveillance coverage, which is being simultaneously rationalised,” he said.
“We have approved the replacement of 50,000 Chinese cameras in the first phase. This is a clear course correction. Every Chinese camera installed earlier will be systematically replaced with secure and trusted systems. For them, it was about numbers and publicity. For us, it is about security, accountability and protecting Delhi’s citizens without any compromise,” the Minister added.
Officials confirmed that the replacement will be carried out in phases to ensure no disruption in surveillance coverage, while upgrading the system to meet stricter security standards.