Team Herald

PONDA: The CCTVs which were installed in Ponda town to monitor traffic have stopped working just a few years after they were brought in use.

The cameras, which were placed in many places around the town, have turned into showpiece items due to a lack of timely repairs and maintenance. These cameras usually come in handy for the police during crime situations but since the CCTVs have ceased to work they have to rely on footage borrowed from cameras installed in private shops.

Former South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar had installed a total of 22 CCTV cameras in Ponda under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) and a private agency was given the responsibility for their maintenance. The respective agency’s ignorance has led these cameras to stop working merely after years.

The cameras had proven to be beneficial to keeping an eye on those violating the traffic rules and police could slap fines just by relying on the footage. However, now they have to stay actively present on the roads to carry out the action. Given the increasing traffic and crimes in the town, CCTV cameras are needed to monitor the situation now more than ever.

“The CCTV cameras are needed as they act as watchdogs for every vehicle that enters town. They will also prove to be crucial in solving the crimes which are rising in the town, lately. The government should take a decision regarding this and arrange for the cameras soon as it will help the police,” a social worker from Nirankal, Hemant Samant said.

Ponda Municipal Council Chairperson Ritesh Naik had convened a meeting of the council a few days back where the respective issue was discussed.

“The decision was made to send an appeal to Chief Minister, who is also Home Minister Dr Pramod Sawant regarding the installation of the CCTV cameras. The municipal council will act on it soon,” he said.