PONDA: The CCTV system, installed in 2015, through MPLAD Scheme all over Ponda town, has now become defunct for the past three years.
Chairperson of Ponda Municipal Council Shantaram Colvekar said that the CCTV system should be revamped.
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The locals say PMC should not wait for untoward incident.
“Of the 22 cameras, not a single CCTV installed in 2015 is functioning,” said a Pondaite.
On the backdrop of rising crimes in the State and also rising incidents in the past in Ponda town, including chain snatching, theft of bikes etc, Pondaites have demanded strict CCTV monitoring in town. Either repair the CCTV system or install a new one at the earliest to detect crimes, the locals demanded with PMC.
“The CCTVs were installed, through the MPLAD Scheme in 2015 all over the town, however, with lack of proper agreement for annual maintenance the system has become defunct,” said Colvekar.
“PMC will try to repair old cameras and make them operational. However, it is also the responsibility of the police to check and monitor the machinery,” the PMC chairperson added.
Earlier, Ponda Gold Dealers Association President had made a similar demand with authorities on the backdrop of the murder of jeweller at Margao. Ponda town and surrounding villages have around 40 jewellery shops.
Cameras were installed at key places to keep a close vigil in the town at various places including Dada Vaidya Circle, Ponda Budhwarpeth Market junction, municipal vegetable market, Sadar junction, near Hotel Menino, Yes Bank junction, market junction, Canara Bank junction, Tisk-Ponda and government offices’ complex building at Tiska-Ponda.
The CCTV system was operating from Ponda Police Station. However, lack of providing funds for timely maintenance of CCTV cameras by various authorities, including agencies that were having responsibility to maintain the, led to its non functioning.
Though, there is demand from Pondaites for CCTV vigil there is no sign of installing new CCTV system.
