Shimla to use CCTV cameras to catch litterbugs,other offenders

Next time you try to slyly drop garbage or polythene,smoke at a public place or get your dog to litter in a corner of Shimlas central arcade.

Next time you try to slyly drop garbage or polythene,smoke at a public place or get your dog to litter in a corner of Shimlas central arcade,Mall Road,do not be surprised if a policeman walks up and fines you. At present these offenses go unnoticed,but soon public places of Shimla town would be under 24-hour surveillance of close circuit television (CCTV) cameras.

In view of the spate of robberies during both day and night,vehicle thefts and other crimes in the capital,the district police have finally decided to take help of technology. But another use of this is to enforce the civic sense that was once part of the Shimla culture visible in the cleanliness of the citys streets.

A proposal has been floated for installing 42 CCTV cameras along boundaries of Shimla town,residential localities,most-visited spots along a stretch of the Mall Road and other busy commercial centres.

Control of these cameras would initially be with the central control room on Mall Road and as more cameras come up across the town the controls would also be distributed sector-wise to different police stations.

We have identified some 11-12 spots initially to try it on a pilot basis,on the boundaries of the city on all roads leading out of the town Shoghi,Taradevi,Jubbarhatti and Dhali and on The Mall Road. The idea is that any stolen vehicle being taken out of town would now be trapped in the CCTV camera footage. Similarly,controlling harassment,littering and other law and order issues in busy places like Mall Road would also be assisted through camera footage, said Shimla SP Sonal Agnihotri. Each camera and its installation cost are around Rs 25,000. Agnihotri said,The installation of cameras at public place would not interfere with the privacy of citizens.

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