Navi Mumbai: Public Safety at Risk as Over 300 of City’s CCTV Cameras Lie Defunct

Navi Mumbai: A startling RTI inquiry by the Alert Citizens Forum has exposed the failure of the city’s Rs 150 crore CCTV surveillance system, which was meant to bolster public security. Of the 1,500 cameras installed, only 703 are operational, and just 410 are functioning due to ongoing roadwork.

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In 2022, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) awarded a contract to implement a high-tech surveillance network featuring HD cameras, speed detection units, and evidence recorders. Yet, despite three years having passed, the project remains unfinished.

The Alert Citizens Forum filed an RTI on November 6, 2024, seeking information on the installation, operational status, maintenance expenses, and assigned monitoring staff. The NMMC delayed its response until March 2025, raising concerns about transparency.

The Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner’s office has urged NMMC to establish a dedicated CCTV monitoring hub at its CBD Belapur headquarters, similar to the one at the municipal offices. Additionally, plans are underway for an upgraded CCTV system at the police department’s new headquarters, with an estimated budget of Rs 5 crore.

Despite its potential for real-time crime prevention, the RTI findings reveal that the Navi Mumbai Police operate the entire surveillance system with just four computers. The lack of coordination between the police and the municipal corporation has left the system largely ineffective.

An official from NMMC’s Engineering Department informed that the contractor, having completed 97% of the work, has now been issued a 72-hour deadline to restore all non-functional cameras. Additionally, a 15-day notice has been served to ensure full operational efficiency.