Cops want CCTVs to dot central Mumbai
Police have asked over 600 housing societies, commercial establishments and other institutions from Dadar to Kurla to put up closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) on their premises. On Wednesday, Dhananjay Kulkarni, deputy commissioner of police (zone V), sent letters to buildings and shop-owners with the request.
Police have asked over 600 housing societies, commercial establishments and other institutions from Dadar to Kurla to put up closed-circuit television cameras (CCTV) on their premises. On Wednesday, Dhananjay Kulkarni, deputy commissioner of police (zone V), sent letters to buildings and shop-owners with the request.
"We have sent letters through the seven police stations that fall under my zone and are expecting a good response from people," Kulkarni said. "Most buildings in central Mumbai have CCTV cameras on their premises to keep a watch on suspicious activities. I have asked them to put up a camera strategically in order to cover the approach road or the main road near their building." However, this is only a request from the police and it is not legally binding on societies to comply.
The areas that fall under zone V include Dadar, Shivaji Park, Mahim, Kurla, Dharavi, Shahu Nagar and VB Nagar. Some of the areas include upmarket and politically sensitive locations like Sena Bhavan and Rajgad (MNS party headquarters), along with the slum pocket of Dharavi. Kulkarni said the police had counted around 458 cameras on various premises in zone V.
Following Thursday's serial blasts in Pune, there have been fresh concerns over security in Mumbai. In a bid to thwart terror, the state government has drawn up an ambitious plan to dot the city with CCTVs. The plan, however, seems far from completion.
The spurt in petty crimes too has prompted police to seek electronic surveillance. Hampered by shortage of manpower, police are hoping remote surveillance will help them fight crime. After the 13/7 terror attack, Mumbai police managed to trace the person who planted the bomb at Opera House through footage from CCTV cameras installed in the area.