Proposal to introduce intelligent camera surveillance systems that can zoom in on number plates, record footage and hence monitor criminal activity

The thought of remote policing may sound too far-fetched for the city right away, but if the Minister of State for Home had his way, it may soon become a reality.


The technology will allow traffic police to monitor acitivity on the roads and maintain footage

The MoS, Satej Patil, is looking into the possibility of installing intelligent camera surveillance systems to monitor the streets and intersections of the city similar to, or more hi-tech than, the ones presently being used in Bangalore.

With the introduction of this technology, which includes high-end video cameras, sensors, screens and computerised units, real time information on traffic conditions and traffic congestion can be obtained.

Patil said, "We are not just thinking of controlling traffic, but also of having a better hold over the security situation in the city."

Then again, the limited presence of traffic constables on the roads would not mean that traffic offenders will have a free run of the city.

The technology he proposes will come fully loaded with the capability to zoom in and take snapshots of number plates the moment an offence is committed.

Besides traffic offences, the police will be able to remotely monitor all activity on the roads and maintain footage of any incident, which can be used as evidence in court.

u00a0The system, presently operational in Bangalore, includes surveillance and enforcement cameras, which record and transmit traffic violation data, including photos of number plates of vehicles found to be violating traffic rules.

This system can not only monitor traffic and keep tabs on the number of vehicles at every intersection, but also be programmed in a way to automatically adjust and synchronise signals according to the traffic density.

"I will be going to Bangalore in about 15 to 20 days' time to study the system, after which we could implement a similar ,or an improved, system here by involving agencies such as the MMRDA and the BMC," Patil said.

He also stated that he would push for implementation of the system within this financial year, and try to incorporate the proposal in this year's state budget.

However, he added that the project would have to be carried out in phases, considering the size of the city.

Hi-tech
Many countries have opted to use the intelligent traffic control technology for various purposes. They include vehicle detection using traffic sensors. With a data processing arrangement for traffic control, things like vehicle speed, traffic intensity and traffic density, can be monitored at regular intevals. The traffic parameters determined in this manner can be fed into a traffic data processing system.