For every step you take they’ll be watching you

If the state government implements a police proposal, Mumbai would be watched by a huge network of CCTVs covering all major sites in the city, including places of worship, bus terminals, hospitals, schools, colleges, and commercial establishments.

On Wednesday, a group of ministers approved the Rs150 crore proposal “in principle”. All the places targeted in the 26/11 terror attacks had CCTVs (closed circuit television) and this helped investigators to get additional information and establish facts. Therefore, the police department, at the meeting of the ministers, proposed setting up an integrated CCTV network for the entire city.

The network would be modelled on the one in London, which has nearly 15,000 ‘smart’ CCTVs. A portion of the funds would be sought from the central government, said deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal. “All major places in the city will be connected through CCTVs, which have proved their utility in dealing with various crimes from theft to mob vandalism,” he said.

The government has already announced the formation of a State Industrial Security Force on the lines of the central  force. The state team will comprise policemen, retired servicemen, and fresh recruits