Delegates’ safety, eye on public property: NDMC’s command centre to keep a 24×7 lookout

Addressing the media regarding the surveillance system, Upadhyay said Friday, “Areas coming under the NDMC will not be open to the public but still, a huge number of people, including hotel staff and government officials, will be frequenting them. The cameras in the control centre will keep track of every movement; besides, unwanted movement and gatherings will be identified and authorities informed to take necessary action. All issues will be resolved in 10-15 minutes.”

With a Rs 65 crore investment, the centre was established as part of the Smart City Project in 2020. “No activity within the NDMC area can take place without the command and control centre’s knowledge,” Upadhyay said.

The NDMC has over 441 CCTV cameras under its jurisdiction, with each providing a 180-degree view. Footage from the cameras is relayed at the command and control centre’s Sansad Marg office, which has a 9.3×2.6-metre monitoring console with 18 displays.

During the Summit, 50 NDMC employees will work round-the-clock to maintain heightened vigilance in the area. According to sources, the NDMC is constructing an additional control centre to maintain tighter vigilance throughout the Summit.

In all, the centre provides 19 functions, which include operating 1,600 smart streetlights in the NDMC area; tracking vehicles via GPS; environmental monitoring; status of parking occupancy as well as public WiFi, and traffic inspections.

“The NDMC will coordinate with traffic police to ensure there is proper traffic circulation in the area,” Upadhyay said.

The control centre also has provisions for LED panel monitoring, smart bicycle booth monitoring, and management of areas vulnerable to waterlogging.

The NDMC will deploy approximately 3,000 civic staff in Lutyens’ Delhi during the Summit. Apart from scrutinising staff to ensure they are keeping the area clean, the command centre will keep a watch against possible theft or defacement of public property. Notably, the NDMC has placed over 9 lakh plants in the Lutyens’ area to beautify the city for the Summit.

Meanwhile, CM Arvind Kejriwal, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, said, “All arrangements have been made to receive G20 guests. All ministers are themselves on the ground. Hon’ble L-G himself has been leading the efforts.