₹70 Crore to Be Spent on Installing Cameras in Pune’s Hilly Areas
Pune: Acting on the directives of former Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the Pune Police have formulated a comprehensive plan to enhance security in the city’s 13 hills. Over seven black spots have been identified for surveillance upgrades, which include the installation of CCTV cameras and floodlights. Pune’s hills, popular among citizens for recreation, have increasingly become hotspots for crimes like robbery and sexual harassment, raising serious safety concerns.
During the inauguration of seven new police stations in Pune, Fadnavis announced dedicated funds to ensure the safety of the city’s hills and other sensitive areas. A detailed report has been prepared under the guidance of Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, listing the identified locations and proposed measures. Kumar confirmed that this report will be submitted to the state government on December 2nd.
Advanced Surveillance with IP-Based Cameras
Approximately 600 advanced cameras will be installed in the hills and identified black spots. This includes PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) cameras, fixed cameras, ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras, and IP-based cameras. The IP-based system will capture the faces of habitual offenders, allowing for their identification using facial recognition technology.
Panic Button Facility for Black Spots
Black spots will be equipped with cameras and panic buttons. Pressing the panic button will immediately alert the police control room. Additionally, the button will initiate video recording, capturing one minute of footage before and after the button is pressed. Nearby cameras will also go into alert mode, and alarms will sound in police patrol vehicles to enable a quick response by the authorities.
Two-Way PA System
Hill areas will also have a two-way PA (Public Address) system with microphones and speakers. For better visibility at night, over 177 floodlights will be installed. The city’s surveillance systems will be integrated with advanced features, including seven special mobile surveillance vehicles equipped with drones.
The estimated cost of this project is ₹70 crore, which includes three years of maintenance and repairs. Connectivity will be ensured through radio frequency in areas lacking network coverage.
Review of Hill Security
The police have surveyed several hills, including Hanuman Tekdi, Old Tunnel Ghat, Taljai, Sutarda, ARAI Tekdi, Aranyeshwar Temple, Baner Tekdi, Bolai Mata Temple, Jogeshwari Temple, Vetal Baba Tekdi, Chatushrungi Tekdi, Bopdev Ghat, Parsi Ground, Parvati, and Canal Road. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar stated that over 13 hills and seven black spots have been identified and will be secured with CCTV cameras and floodlights. A detailed report based on another survey will be submitted to the Home Department on Monday.
