Summary Points
-
Surveillance Malfunction: Approximately 50% of the Smart City project’s surveillance cameras in Thiruvananthapuram are reportedly non-functional, severely affecting real-time monitoring capabilities.
-
Public Concerns: Citizens and civic activists are worried about rising issues like traffic violations and illegal dumping due to the lack of effective surveillance.
-
Conflicting Reports: Despite police claims about most cameras being offline, a Smart City official contests this, asserting the majority are operational and that recent findings are misinterpreted.
- Impact on Enforcement: With many cameras not working, automated monitoring and enforcement of traffic rules and environmental regulations are greatly diminished, necessitating more manual oversight by police.
Surveillance System Malfunctions
Thiruvananthapuram’s Smart City initiative faces a significant challenge. A report from the city police reveals that about 50% of installed surveillance cameras are non-functional. Currently, nearly all cameras are offline. As a result, the city’s real-time monitoring capabilities have diminished drastically. Sources indicate that only a few cameras, designed to monitor traffic flow and public areas, remain operational. Citizens and civic activists have raised serious concerns. They highlight issues like traffic violations, illegal dumping, and unauthorized parking that go unchecked due to this lack of oversight.
Conflicting Reports on Camera Functionality
On the other hand, a senior official from the Smart City project disputes the police report. The official claims that most cameras are functioning well, stating that a police certification in 2024 confirmed their operational status. They argue that new police management is falsely assessing the situation. The official pointed out that recent inspections of a small number of cameras led to a misleading generalization about overall functionality. Meanwhile, the company maintaining these cameras insists that they are actively addressing reported defects. With over 1,000 cameras in total, they assert that 98% are operational. While the initiative employs high-definition cameras connected to a central command for real-time alerts, many functions remain suspended due to offline systems. Officials are now manually monitoring key locations, but they emphasize that this cannot replace automated surveillance, especially when human resources are stretched thin.
Stay Ahead with the Latest Tech Trends
Dive deeper into the world of Space and its vast mysteries.
Access comprehensive resources on space and science by visiting NASA.
IoTV1