CCTV project expanded to include Picture Intelligence Unit

The state has decided to include Picture Intelligence Unit (PIU) as a mandatory requirement in the Request for Proposal (RFP) for Mumbai's Rs 600-crore CCTV project. The PIU is conceived as an advanced research and development platform for criminal surveillance that will connect the city's jails with others in the state in the first phase and with all jails in the country in the second stage.

A PIU is a forensic unit, which will use criminal and crime scene photographs as evidence. It will include experts who can present themselves during trials, and ensure video-analytical certification, continuous time stamp and confirm non-tampering of electronic evidence.

"In the initial tendering process, PIU was looked at as a feature for the city's security needs. After a fresh security review, we have decided to make this mandatory in the new tender. For instance, during Kumbh Mela, Nashik police should be in a position to use our footage. It will be the largest congregation in the state after a long time with many visiting from outside the state. Pune also doesn't need a separate photographic infrastructure; they can always use ours," said a senior government official.

The scope of the CCTV project was broadened following a meeting last month in Pune. Senior state police officials discussed the increased threat perception of Pune, with the city coming under attack from terror outfits, and an increase in the reported number of safe houses for naxals.

Government officials said PIU is a novel initiative and is being strategised as a comprehensive surveillance infrastructure. In the new RFP, certain aspects have been fine-tuned to include facial database, still image match to multiple grabs of video and matching video grab to static images. Service providers and system integrators now have the added responsibility of bringing the best video analytics into the central interface.

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