Mumbai: In a sweeping overhaul of public transport security, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is rolling out a state-wide CCTV surveillance grid to fortify its iconic red buses, popularly known as ‘Lalpari, ’ and allied facilities. The Maharashtra Government has sanctioned Rs 111 crore for the “New CCTV Project,” Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman Pratap Sarnaiak announced.
7,035 cameras at 633 locations
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Feb 17 th, 2026 - Time 11.45Hrs
The plan envisages the installation of 7,035 CCTV cameras at 633 strategic sites, covering bus stations, depots, divisional and regional workshops, central workshops, divisional offices, and the Central Training Institute at Bhosari. The objective: real-time, centralised monitoring to deter anti-social and potential terror threats while enabling rapid response to incidents.
Central Command in Mumbai
A Central Control Room in Mumbai has already been set up, with its User Acceptance Test (UAT) completed successfully. This hub will aggregate live feeds from across Maharashtra, allowing authorities to track suspicious movements and coordinate immediate intervention.
Pilot success; Statewide rollout underway
In the pilot phase, CCTV systems were commissioned at 64 key locations across Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar divisions. Installation across the remaining 27 divisions, along with workshops and offices, is progressing on a fast track, with the full rollout targeted within one year.
The project is being executed by Telecommunication Consultants India Limited (TCIL), selected via e-tendering. Beyond camera deployment, the initiative aims to build a comprehensive digital security ecosystem, strengthening oversight of operations, improving evidence capture, and boosting passenger confidence.
Minister Sarnaiak emphasized that the move goes beyond hardware installation. “This is about creating a seamless digital security shield for MSRTC,” he said, underscoring that safer bus stations and offices will translate into a more reliable travel experience.
With the CCTV network expanding across the state, Maharashtra’s ‘Lalpari’ fleet is set to operate under tighter surveillance, promising not just connectivity, but enhanced safety and accountability for millions of daily commuters.
