Maharashtra CM launches second phase of CCTV cameras project for Mumbai

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today launched the second and the final phase of the CCTV cameras project for Mumbai here.

After this, the entire megapolis will be covered by these cameras.

Applauding the efforts of the Home and Information Technology (IT) departments in this regard, Fadnavis said the move will help in better policing and traffic management.

“In less than one-and-a-half years (after coming to power), we have succeeded in making Mumbai city’s surveillance network go live. This will help in smarter, better policing and traffic management,” he said.

“Mumbai police now gets a third eye which will never take a break or complain of being tired. It will be the Mumbai cops’ best friend,” he added.

Explaining the technology, the chief minister said the system will generate alerts if it finds any stranded object at a public place or a person moving around suspiciously.

Also, the Automatic Number Plate Recognition System, integrated with the e-Chalan system for traffic violation, will help the chalan reach the offender even before he reaches home, Fadnavis said.

“It will also keep a record of habitual offenders to ensure that their driving licences are suspended and the menace is curbed,” he added.

“The system is also equipped with a unique face recognition feature which will enable the police to catch wanted criminals, whose photos will be captured whenever they come under the lens,” Fadnavis said, adding that the thermal cameras will monitor coastal security even at night and send smart alerts and live feed.

He said his government was committed to making Maharashtra the first “fully digital state” by creating digital villages which will bridge the gap with the cities.

“We wish to provide the best healthcare and educational facilities to all the villagers and the best market facilities to the farmers with the help of technology,” he said.

“Only technology can ensure equality because it does not discriminate or work on the basis of gender, caste, creed etc.,” he added.

The chief minister had launched the first phase of the project last year.

Larsen and Toubro (L&T) had bagged the Rs-959 crore contract of the Maharashtra government for securing Mumbai with a CCTV network.

PTI