CCTV network: Two pvt firms make presentation to Chavan

Two private companies made a presentation before Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for setting up the much-delayed CCTV camera network.

Two private companies on Tuesday made a presentation before Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for setting up the much-delayed CCTV camera network in Mumbai as part of measures to step up security in the city.

The state government is reviving a project it had proposed in 2008 after the 26/11 terror attacks to instal 5,000 cameras at vital traffic junctions,places of large congregation and important installations. The proposal to instal the cameras is likely to come up before the state cabinet on Wednesday.

The state government is planning to instal latest CCTV cameras,which have at least 180 degree rotation and higher zoom. The data of some months will be stored and there will also be digital storage.

Security agencies are relying on the CCTV footage from the three blast sites for vital clues.

City-based NGO Mumbai First suggested the government should go about the installation process in a step-wise manner as trained people are needed to supervise the visuals. We suggested that the government should learn from the steps taken by other cities and the London Metropolitan Police about cameras, said Narinder Nayar,chairman of the NGO. The group also suggested that private firms should network with the government in monitoring the CCTVs.

Bangalore-based CISCO,which has worked with other states in implementing such installations,also made a presentation before the CM.

Vishak Gopinath,PRO for CISCO,issued a statement confirming that their representatives met Chavan and officials from the Home Ministry to share best practices in video surveillance for Mumbai,based on the firms past experiences.

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Chavan said the presentations will be sent to the Home Department,which has appointed project consultants for the project. He said foreign experts had also been contacted in this regard.

A team of police experts has been sent to Delhi to study the measures taken during the Commonwealth Games.