GPS in cop cars within 20 days

The project, which was to have been completed a month ago, however, got delayed after problems to procure an IP address that requires laying cables with PMCs permission

GPS in cop cars within 20 days

The project, which was to have been completed a month ago, however, got delayed after problems to procure an IP address that requires laying cables with PMCs permission

Around 160 police mobile vans and motorcycles were to have been installed with Global Positioning System (GPS) a month ago. But the Rs 2 crore project, which also included installation of Geographical Information System (GIS) in the police control room, has been delayed by 20 days.

This project would have enabled the police to reach a distressed caller faster by saving precious minutes that would've otherwise been spent in locating the patrolling vehicle (see box).

PMC not helping?
HCL Infosystems, the company given the contract to set up the GPS and GIS, said the project required 20 working days for completion. "The infrastructure and instruments are ready, but implementation and integration is taking longer than expected," said Umesh Headoo, project head.

The project was delayed because HCL Infosystems is unable to procure a fixed IP address. Since the system requires a bandwidth of 512 kbps, cables need to be installed. That's where the PMC is allegedly creating problems. Sources revealed that an Internet Service Provider distanced itself from the project after the PMC demanded Rs 7 lakh for digging the road to lay the cables between Nucleus Mall and Police Commissioner's office.

Digging charges
But Vivek Kharwadkar, who is in charge of PMC's road department, denied these charges, saying, "The PMC accepts digging charges in the form of one-time land rent rate, which is Rs 2,500 per metre." This means that that the PMC should ideally charge Rs 75,000, as the distance between Nucleus Mall and the commissioner's office is 30 metres.u00a0

Additional Police Commissioner (administration) Sanjiv Kumar Singhal said, "The project got delayed because there was a problem of a fixed IP address. We will inform the DG's office about this delay."