It was decided in 2018 by the authorities that CCTV cameras will be installed across Guwahati for the security of the city, but the decision was only moving on papers since last six years. Finally, the first phase of CCTV installation work has started recently.
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A source in the Guwahati Smart City Ltd talking to GPlus said, “2000 CCTV cameras will be installed across Guwahati, especially at vulnerable places,” adding that there will be three command and control centres for the cameras.
One control and command centre will be at the Commissioner of Police office, which is under construction at Khanapara, one will be at Dispur and another at Jalukbari.
The locations at Dispur and Jalukbari are yet to be identified.
The budget for the project is Rs. 203 crore and the project will be handed over to the police after completion.
It needs to be mentioned that the Assam government had introduced a bill in the state Assembly that made it mandatory for owners of public spaces to install CCTV cameras. The legislation was aimed at ensuring public safety by reducing crime in areas that see public congregation, including commercial places, industrial establishments, religious places, educational institutions, government buildings, sports complexes, and residential buildings.
The "Assam Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Bill, 2023," was introduced in the House by Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal. The bill mandated the use of surveillance equipment, such as CCTV cameras, in public spaces and the owner of such places had to install the devices within a stipulated period. The surveillance footage had to be stored for 30 days and made available to the government when required.
Sources said that the CCTV cameras being installed by GSCL will also have a storage capacity of 30 days.