Cops to install 500 CCTVs for Independence Day security

The Delhi police has floated a tender for installation of over 500 CCTVs on contract basis to be used for surveillance during Independence Day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make his speech from the historic Red Fort.

A senior police official said that as a part of the security arrangements during Independence Day at Red Fort, they have identified 542 new spots near Red Fort, Rajghat, central district areas and Chhatraal Stadium. These advanced cameras will have several features, including pan, tilt and zoom, and high megapixels in addition to being waterproof.

This year the number of CCTV cameras have been increased to extensively cover the potential routes to be taken by the PM and other dignitaries to reach the Red Fort.

“The high quality cameras will be monitored live from the control room that will be set up in the nearest police station and simultaneously monitored at the police headquarter. We have floated the tender for the requirement. It will be finalised at the earliest,” said a senior police official.

The police said that they are in the process of permanently installing the CCTVs at designated spots but the maintenance of these sophisticated cameras is a big task. During mega events like Indepen-dence Day, Republic Day and visit of any VVIP foreign guest, the police alw-ays hires these high tech CCTVs for better surveillance. In 2015, the Delhi police and other security units had installed 1,271 high-quality closed circuit cameras (CCTV) along the routes taken by the PM to the Red Fort.

Last year, over Rs 1.36 crore was spent on hiring, installation and removal of these CCTV cameras. As per estimation, similar cost will be borne this year by the Central government for making security arrangements.