TEAM HERALD
VASCO: In a bid to improve surveillance in the port town, 16 CCTV cameras were inaugurated in Vasco on Saturday, while the remaining 45 cameras are expected to be set up within a fortnight.
Speaking to reporters shortly after inaugurating the CCTV cameras, South Goa MP Francisco Sardinha said the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) with the help of the Vasco Traffic police had identified 61 locations to set up the CCTV cameras.
“While 16 CCTV cameras have been installed, the remaining 45 CCTV cameras will be set up in the next 15 days. Vasco is a cosmopolitan town and people from different walks of life reside in the port town. Over the period of time, crimes have increased and to keep proper surveillance in the town, the MMC requested me for the CCTV cameras from the MPLAD funds,” said Sardinha.
Informing that Rs 85 lakh had been spent to install the CCTV cameras, Sardinha assured to extend the installation of CCTV cameras in the interiors, depending on the need of the area.
“Since the people of South Goa have elected me as their representative to Parliament, it is my prime duty to look after the safety and the security of the people. I urge the citizens to be more vigilant and help the police in catching the culprits,” said the MP.
South Goa Collector N D Agrawal stated for the first time in the country, the district magistrate with the help of the CCTV cameras will be able to keep a watch on the entire district as the CCTVs will be installed in the office of the district magistrate.
“The main purpose of installing the CCTV cameras is to keep a check on traffic violations, eve teasing and other crimes. Besides the district magistrate’s office, the Superintendent of Police of the districts, the local police station and the municipalities will also monitor their respective areas as CCTVs will be installed in their respective offices,” Agrawal added.
Mormugao Municipal Chief Officer Y B Tavde stated that the council had forwarded a request to Sardinha to install the CCTVs in Mormugao taluka.
Asked to comment on the maintenance of the 61 CCTV cameras, Tavde said, “For the first year, the agency installing the CCTVs will look after the maintenance and thereafter, the MMC will bear the cost of the maintenance.”
Others present at the press briefing included South Goa Collector N D Agrawal, MMC Chief Officer Y B Tavde, Mormugao Deputy Collector Gaurish Shankwalkar, MMC Chairperson Sunita Usgaonkar, Vice-Chairperson Nitin Chopdekar and other MMC councillors.
