CCTV cameras lying defunct for 5 months

PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, January 27

CCTV cameras installed at various intersections, including the Civil Lines area, in the city have been lying defunct for the past five months. Despite being a major tool for the police to identify culprits, the authorities have failed to get these repaired. The contract of the private company, which is responsible for the maintenance of CCTV cameras, has not been renewed.

The city has witnessed a surge in the crime rate and the police have been groping in the dark in a number robbery cases. Two months ago, ornaments worth Rs1 crore were looted from a jeweller. But, the police have failed to make any breakthrough in the case.

The much-awaited safe city project, under which CCTV cameras were to be installed, was announced in 2014 by the state government. But, it never saw the light of day. Besides, another similar project was inaugurated in 2016 by the then Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi. Around 220 cameras were installed at 40 locations in the city. These cameras can capture images from as far as 1 km with great clarity.

Earlier, the Amritsar Improvement Trust had dragged its hands from funding the project. It had stated said it handed over the project to the police and it was not its duty to maintain the cameras. But, AIT Chairman Dinesh Bassi has assured the police of having a second thought on the project.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Jagmohan Singh said they would meet AIT authorities in this regard. A police man, who did not wish to be named, said the police were facing a shortage of funds for maintaining the cameras. He said the government should intervene and provide the funds for the same.

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