Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDC) is facing criticism for its inability to meet its CCTV camera installation targets while also failing to maintain the existing network. A staggering 1,023 cameras installed at busy junctions were found to be non-functional during 2023-24, exposing serious gaps in the city’s Intelligent and Integrated Traffic Management System (IITMS), which has a budget of Rs 197 crore.
The NSSCDC aimed to install 3,841 cameras but has consistently fallen short of its targets over the years. For instance, in 2019-20, it planned 3,912 installations but managed only 3,692. Similar trends continued in subsequent years, with 3,814 cameras targeted annually from 2020-21. However, actual installations hovered between 3,694 and 3,732 units, never reaching the target.
As per the local media report, the number of functional cameras has been declining due to poor maintenance. Between 2019 and 2024, the count of operational cameras dropped from 3,412 to just 2,671. A Smart City official revealed that damage to the fibre network during infrastructure projects, such as road construction and pipeline installations, has been a major issue.
Realizing its shortcomings, the NSSCDC recently decided to hand over installation and maintenance responsibilities to a private agency. However, the delay in action has raised questions about the effectiveness of Nagpur’s Smart City initiatives.
The IITMS, meant to improve traffic management at 160 key junctions across Nagpur, relies heavily on these cameras. Its components include signal synchronization, red light violation detection, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), and speed monitoring. Without a functional CCTV network, achieving these goals remains a challenge.
Despite significant investments, Nagpur’s ambitious smart city project appears to be grappling with inefficiency, leaving citizens questioning its ability to deliver on its promises.
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