CCTVs ready, PMC ladder missing

Police say they can't execute orders to install hi-tech CCTV cameras for Ganapati immersion as civic body still to provide them hydraulic ladder

CCTVs ready, PMC ladder missing

Police say they can't execute orders to install hi-tech CCTV cameras for Ganapati immersion as civic body still to provide them hydraulic ladder

In the wake of the Delhi High Court blast, city police are taking precautions by tightening the security for Ganapati visarjan this weekend. But police officials on the ground are finding it difficult to execute the orders, as the civic body has not supplied hydraulic ladders required to install the CCTV cameras.

A team of technicians displays the hi-tech JVC CCTV cameras

Almost 14 hi-tech CCTV cameras need to be installed between the City Post chowk and Alaka -- the stretch that processions for Ganapati visarjan will pass through. "Though the imported CCTVs arrived two days ago, delay in installation is only because of the non-cooperation from the PMC vehicle depot," Inspector Arjun Sakunde from Vishrambaug police station said. "We have finalised our locations and the spots where CCTV cameras need to be installed."

Technical expert Bharat Junnarkar, who is initiating the installation of these hi-tech JVC sets, said it was crucial that the hydraulic ladder be made available if they were to meet their deadline. "The CCTV parts have been assembled at the Kasba Peth police chowky near Shaniwarwada. We are now waiting for the PMC's hydraulic ladder that is yet to arrive.

Huge crowds congregate outside the Dagdushet Ganapati during
the festival

All our efforts have gone waste as we have been given deadlines to install and make them (CCTVs) operational before the Ganapati visarjan day," Junnarkar said. "Apart from this, another concern arising after installing the sets is to be able to get proper connectivity and develop a monitoring system."

Admitting that the work was getting delayed, Dnyaneshwar Phadatare, DCP Zone I, said there were other things to be done as well, besides just the physical installation of the CCTV sets.

"Apart from the PMC, we are also expecting technical support from BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) for proper and affordable connectivity, since this will be a long-term plan. The control room monitoring system which has been made available at the local level will later be centralised at one place," he said.

Rs 14L
Total expense on installation of 14 hi-tech cameras for immersion day

98
No of Ganapati mandals that have installed CCTVs in the city

The other side
Refuting the claims of non-cooperation made by the police, Yogesh Mali, Engineer, Electrical Department, PMC, said: "Since the last two days, we have been ready with our staff, but there seems to be a communication gap." Mali said that the hydraulic ladder vehicle was available, but conceded that on Wednesday night the staff had left for the day. "We are ready to cooperate with the police and the technicians and there shall be no complaints henceforth," he said.