The city’s policemen would soon move around like TV journalists in their OB vans for a better video surveillance of the Capital.

Delhi Police is set to acquire a “Periscope Video Surveillance Van” to monitor traffic situation and record it, videograph security arrangements, suspicious movements, inter-departmental communication system, among others. Officials said this van would be especially useful during the Commonwealth Games next year.

A senior officer said the city police would be the first in India to acquire such surveillance system.

Officials said the periscope video surveillance (PSV) system would be fitted on Innova cars and would have features like high-definition cameras — laser-guided PTZ camera, two IR cameras, among others. It would also have other hi-tech gadgetry: radio transmitter and receiver units for video, audio and Ethernet (IP) facility, audio and recording facility (of approximately 500 hours), among others.

Delhi Police has already floated a tender for PVSV and while costs cannot be estimated yet, a senior officer said it is likely to be over Rs 1 crore. “This is a new and landmark gadget that will help us in all kinds of monitoring,” the officer said. “Video footage captured from all places where this vehicle goes would be redirected to the control room. The footage would then be analysed and kept for record.”

Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat said, “The PVSV would primarily help us monitor traffic and law and order situation in the city.” He said technical experts would be specially trained to monitor and run the surveillance system.

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