Nagpur: The much-hyped ‘Smart City’ initiative in Nagpur is now under a cloud, as glaring lapses in its surveillance infrastructure have exposed a shocking reality, crores of public money have been squandered, while the city’s so-called ‘Third Eye’ has gone virtually blind.
Touted as a major step towards ensuring public safety, a total of 3,686 CCTV cameras were installed across 700 locations. However, the system today stands crippled, with a staggering 1,176 cameras lying defunct. What was meant to deter crime and strengthen policing has instead become a symbol of administrative failure.
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Authorities have repeatedly attempted to deflect blame, citing damaged cables during excavation work. But the ground reality paints a far more alarming picture, nearly 30 per cent of the city remains beyond effective surveillance, leaving vast pockets vulnerable.
Of the total cameras installed, only 2,510 are currently operational. More troubling is the fact that technical audits reveal just 2,213 cameras are capable of transmitting footage. The number of cameras functioning with full efficiency drops drastically further, to a mere 1,075.
The collapse of this crucial security network is largely attributed to ongoing infrastructure projects. Work on roads, pipelines, flyovers, and drainage lines has repeatedly damaged the optical fibre network, knocking cameras offline and exposing a lack of coordination between departments.
A free pass for criminals
The failure of the CCTV network has effectively turned parts of the city into a safe haven for criminals. From traffic violators to burglars, offenders now operate with reduced fear of surveillance. The very system designed to assist police in tracking stolen vehicles and solving crimes has been rendered unreliable.
The irony is stark, while the administration continues to brand Nagpur as a ‘Smart City’, its surveillance backbone has collapsed into dysfunction. Cameras that were meant to act as a constant vigil now hang lifeless, offering neither deterrence nor accountability.
If the ‘Third Eye’ of the city remains shut, the question looms large: Has the administration, through negligence and poor planning, effectively handed criminals a free run?
