Hyderabad: In recent years, residential areas have increasingly relied on CCTV cameras to be assured of enhanced safety. However, in a disturbing trend, many of the cameras are left unmonitored and it is not known when they become defunct.
This is having major implications, especially for the police department. Their investigation into the Amberpet double-murder case took a severe beating due to a non-functional community CCTV camera.
When asked about community CCTV systems, a senior police officer explained, “Community cameras are the ones used for surveillance in residential areas. Cameras in the lanes, apartments and colonies are community cameras maintained by the residents, while those on the main roads and junctions are classified as traffic cameras.”
He emphasised the importance of community engagement. “When community members take ownership of these systems, it enhances the ability to clear the cases.”
In the context of the double murder case, investigators faced setbacks because one of the house’s CCTV systems could not record the incident. “There were civil works going on in the area, and a lorry carrying sand damaged the wires, which the owner did not repair,” the officer stated.
As a result, the investigation is relying on the functioning cameras in the lanes and connecting roads, but so far no apprehension has taken place by the Amberpet police.
Farheed from the IT Cell of the Hyderabad commissionerate mentioned that most community cameras are funded by MP and MLA funds, where political leaders pay for the installation of cameras in their constituencies. “Besides, six vendors are responsible for maintaining these cameras, monitoring their functioning and repairs constantly,” he explained.
In stark contrast, the tri-commissionerate of Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Rachakonda actively issues traffic challans — 15,000 in Hyderabad, 8,000 in Cyberabad, and 1,500 in Rachakonda daily. This disparity highlights a disconnection, as traffic cameras are operational while community cameras often fail due to oversight.
According to DCP (traffic) Srinivas Rao, traffic cameras are monitored and repaired by L&T, who recently received a one-year extension for their services.
