KARACHI, Jan 11: The city police have launched a Rs1 billion project to put Karachi under video surveillance through 3,000 cameras (in the initial stage), covering almost every prominent part of the metropolis. The move apparently indicates a decision on the part of the police to, in principle, not rely on the city government’s command and control system.

Sources in the police and the Sindh government said the project had been designed to cover most vulnerable parts of the city using funding from the provincial government. The main control centre will be at the Central Police Office (CPO).

“The centre is near completion and since the department has received funding (Rs1 billion) from the provincial government, tenders are likely to be issued within the next few weeks, asking companies having expertise in such tasks to submit their bids,” said a source, citing details of the project.

“As far as the control centre is concerned, it is almost ready with all the necessary fixtures and equipment, which will later be connected with the ‘15’ police helpline service, which is better known as the Madadgar Call Centre.”

He said the proposed plan showed that the video surveillance centre would operate at all times, and will have the ability to connect with the patrolling police mobile van which is closest to the scene of any suspicious activity.

“Secondly, the system is aimed at serving even individuals, as people will be able to call the monitoring centre to inform the police officials about any suspicious movement in any area, which may help strict surveillance,” added the source.

The police plan of video surveillance has emerged at a time when senior officials at the city government had announced the expansion of the CDGK’s own surveillance set-up, while its officials went on the record to say on several occasions that law enforcers were not cooperating to make their (CDGK) command and control system effective.

In June 2008, the city district government launched operations of its command and control system, which allows surveillance of two signal-free corridors – Sharea Faisal to Site and Surjani Town – with 54 cameras monitoring and recording movements of vehicles and people mainly in the former districts East and West.

Though the Rs110 million project was initially aimed at monitoring and securing civic infrastructure, including flyovers, bridges and underpasses, it later allowed access to the police and other security agencies to help ease traffic congestion, identify criminals and prevent crime.

Last week, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal announced installation of more surveillance cameras and their hooking up with the Civic Centre in Gulshan-i-Iqbal Town for monitoring purposes, which would be completed within the next two months at a cost of Rs140 million.

However, the local government’s Wireless Video Surveillance System, which would now include areas surrounding Numaish Chowrangi and M.A. Jinnah Road, has not inspired the police authorities.

‘Limited scope’

“The city government’s project has a very limited scope,” said Waseem Ahmed, the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO). “It can facilitate monitoring traffic movement, as the main focus of the city government’s command and control system is bridges and newly-constructed roads.”

He said the way Karachi was spreading, both in terms of area and population, there was a need for a comprehensive video surveillance system and the police plan had been designed in line with such considerations.

“We appreciate the city government’s efforts for taking initiatives in Muharram-ul-Haram and installing surveillance cameras for security purposes,” said Mr Ahmed. “Since we don’t have such a facility, we definitely used the city government’s system on 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram for monitoring the processions.”

The CCPO said that though the police surveillance project was initially planned to be launched with at least 3,000 cameras, the system could gradually have more added, depending on feedback and the assessment of needs in different areas.

“The project is being designed on modern lines studying initiatives in some major cities including Istanbul and some cities of Europe. But we would definitely (focus on) our needs and requirements while finalising the actual plan for the video surveillance system,” he added.