CCTV cameras to dot Bangalore

Home Minister R Ashoka told reporters here on Saturday that the State government, which had been advised by the Centre to tighten security in all the major government buildings, especially the courts, was deliberating on setting up a control room, which would be fed video footages from across the City.

A footage from network of all the CCTVs installed will be routed to a control room, for a 24/7 surveillance. While the government agencies like KSRTC, BMTC and others will ensure the installation of the cameras, private companies too will be told to follow suit.

The Home department, which is preparing a detailed project report, plans to place the proposal before the Centre seeking grants from the Rs 500-crore budgetary allocation for security arrangements in big cities.

The centralised unit will also be able to monitor traffic violation. A provision will be made to store the footages for a minimum of two weeks.

He also said guidelines will be issued to commercial establishments and IT-BT companies to install CCTV cameras.

Stadium case
The minister said the Chinnaswamy stadium blasts were carried out to instil fear in the citizens and that his department had all the details pertaining to them. “We know who conducted the blasts, why they did it, and where they are from. A detailed report has been submitted to the Centre,” he added.

Ashoka also said the Transport department would launch the Sustainable Urban Transport System in Mysore on September 23, where 500 buses will be GPS-enabled.
The World Bank-funded project will be extended to Bangalore eventually, he said. Under the project, 500 buses, 105 bus stops, six bus terminals, and 45 platforms in Mysore City will all be connected to a central control room. The ITS encompasses Passenger Information System, providing information display in vehicles, bus stops, bus terminals and platforms in bus stations.