The first phase of the Vishwas project to install CCTV across the state for traffic management and safety was started in 2020. Now, the first phase of installing 7,000 CCTVs has been completed on 1-5-2022. The government is preparing for its second phase in which it will be expanded to smaller cities. In the second phase, more than 10,000 CCTVs will be installed in 51 Tier-3 cities. Processes including tendering have been started for this and this work will be completed by the end of 2023.
In 2013-14, then Chief Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a vision to set up a statewide CCTV camera-based system for public safety and traffic regulation. Based on the success of the pilot project in major cities, the Vishwas project was launched in 34 district headquarters of the state, 41 cities, and 6 spiritual places (Somnath, Dwarka, Palitana, Ambaji, Pavagadh, and Dakor) as well as the Statue of Unity.
The purpose of the Vishwas project is public safety, traffic regulation and control, post-incident video forensics and investigation as well as road safety and urban mobility. CCTV footage is monitored at the District Command and Control Center, which is called ‘Netram’.
The success of faith
Such an arrangement by CCTV has resulted in a 19.09 per cent reduction in road accidents from 2018 to 2021. As far as traffic regulation is concerned, by June 13, 2022, Rs. 15,32,253 e-currencies worth Rs. 55,20,80,100 were issued. The process of e-currency has been made completely transparent and easy with the help of payment portals and mobile applications.
Road behavior has also changed due to CCTV surveillance and currency system. Large-scale operations are possible even with a limited number of police due to the Body Worn Camera and drone cameras. It has also led to transparency in operations.
Equipped with technology
Under the Vishwas of CCTV Surveillance, there is now intelligent traffic management software which includes automatic number plate recognition, red light violation detection, alert system for stolen vehicles. It can easily identify illegal parking, obstruction of objects, identification of crowds, counting of people, tampering with cameras, etc. At present, a total of 10,000 bodywear cameras have been provided under the project while there are 15 drone cameras.
As far as good governance is concerned with the use of digital as well as information technology, Gujarat has done an unprecedented job in the entire country. Important government services are now available online and this has made the work of the citizens of the state easier and saves time. Recently, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said at an event in Rajkot that the government is committed to good governance and work is underway to make 200 types of online services reach the villages in the coming days. It is essential that well-being reaches the last human being and Atal Bihari Vajpayee also said that if rural areas are happy and prosperous then the country will be happy and prosperous.
Commenting on the project, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Rajukumar said that the Vishwas project has become extremely important for strengthening the law and order situation in the state, crime detection and traffic management. The government has done a strong job in terms of security by installing CCTV in strategically important places with proper planning. In the coming days, the Vishwas project is being extended to small towns, which will provide more security and facilities to the people.
