Most CCTV cameras in civic headquarters go kaput

What can be considered as a serious security lapse, the close circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed inside the two buildings of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, have been found to be non-operational.

According to sources in the civic body, the corporation has installed around 32 cameras in both the main (a heritage structure) and annex buildings. However, only four of these cameras are in working condition.

The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) on Wednesday raised the issue demanding fixing the lapse quickly. "The BMC has seven LED televisions and three computers to keep vigil through the CCTV cameras. But there is only one person to monitor the happenings on them, when it actually requires two. A proposal to this regard is gathering dust as the civic administration has not paid attention towards it," said Dilip Lande, MNS' ex-group leader and corporator from Kurla.

Given the importance and strategic locations of the headquarters, the MNS has demanded that the buildings be safeguarded in the interest of public and staffers.

Arun Veer, BMC's chief security officer, admitted that there was a security lapse due to the apathetic approach of the contractor appointed earlier to maintain the system. "There was an agency named Technocrat which was very lethargic in its approach. Despite repeated instructions, the company did not perform. Hence, we blacklisted it and have appointed another agency now. The lapse will be looked into," said Veer.