If you believe that the CCTV cameras pointed at you from electric poles at important junctions in Vasco are keeping track on suspicious movement, you are mistaken. Herald investigations revealed that only 16 out of 52 cameras that were installed last year at various important junctions and crowded places across the town are working, while the remaining 36 cameras are defunct.
“I have already informed senior officials about the defunct CCTV cameras. I feel there exist some internal problem of wires that is obstructing transmission. While these cameras are important today they are of no use,” said Vasco traffic police inspector Sudesh Narvekar.
The 52 CCTV cameras were installed under the MPLAD scheme intending to avert any unwanted activity and to keep a close watch on suspicious activities. The cameras were also supposed to help the Mormugao Municipal Council as municipal inspectors were supposed to keep check on encroachments by vendors.
The cameras were also of great help to the Vasco Traffic Cell that could keep check and even book the traffic offenders by sitting in their offices. Today, while the municipal inspectors have stopped taking help of CCTV footage with the TV set earlier showing live feeds now switched off, the same is the situation with the traffic police who too get live video footage but have decided to keep the system off.
“Today we have 16 cameras that are relaying pictures. Sometimes four and sometimes nine cameras relay feeds and this changes due to which we have stopped looking at the CCTV footage,” said a traffic police constable at Vasco police station.
When the cameras had been first installed cases of traffic violations had reduced as people had started following rules in fear of getting caught but presently everything has returned to normal, says Advocate Rajan Naik
“These cameras helped detect several crimes. The camera installed at the Joshi junction is very important as it can keep surveillance on all movement at Vasco Railway Station, which is a gateway to Goa, but if it is not working then it is of no use,” Naik said.
Taking note of CCTV footage helping track down criminals, traffic violators and terror activities, Goa Police too had proposed to install 660 high resolution CCTV cameras at 250 locations across the State. But if after installation the situation is like that in Vasco, it is advisable for the police not to go ahead with its plans as it would only drain the exchequer’s purse, a Vasco resident said.
According to the rules, it is mandatory for establishments that expect a gathering of 100 or more people at the same time, to provide access controls and install CCTV surveillance cameras. Considering this the state administration installed 96 CCTV cameras. In Panjim, there are 13 CCTV cameras, Margao 15, Vasco 52, Sanguem 6 and in Quepem 10. But it is only the officials who know how many of these are working.
