CCTVs at traffic signals are mere showpieces

Even as police officials plan to install high quality CCTV cameras in near future,the cameras installed two years ago at Majri Chowk in Old Panchkula,Amartex traffic light point,Sector 17/18 point,Mansa Devi T point and Sector 11/15 point are not connected with any control room.

“Installation of each unit of the close circuit cameras had cost around Rs 1.5 lakh. Though the initial aim was to check the various traffic violations and lower the crime rate in the city,the system frequently experienced technical failure. Now,they are completely non-functional and not connected with any control room,” a police official said on condition of anonymity.

“These cameras have remained non-functional for long now due to hardware failure. But since CCTVs aid in solving criminal cases like in the PC jewelers robbery case,we now plan to install some high quality cameras for live footage. These would be put up at some of the busiest traffic light points and roundabouts and at all the entry and exit points of the city,” the officer added.

There are also plans to install cameras at various parking lots,especially near city bank areas,he said.

Speaking with Newsline,Mansa Ram Ahuja,the founder president of a city based NGO and resident of Sector 9 said,“The installation of CCTV cameras is almost as essential as effective policing. They not only help in checking crime,but also in instilling confidence among residents of the city that they are being watched and are safe on the roads.”