KARACHI, May 11: Police have finalized a plan to install more than 100 surveillance cameras on different arteries and thoroughfares in the metropolis to check traffic violations.
Initially, the force has placed order for the purchase of 16 cameras. They will cost Rs10.8 million (Rs675,000 apiece). The cameras would be installed at important points such as Purani Numaish intersection, Guru Mandir intersection and Sharea Faisal, a senior traffic police official said.
The purchase of cameras were approved by a three-member committee, headed by Additional IG Asad Ashraf Malik and DIG Traffic Yameen Khan and DIG Administration Zafar Farooqui as members.
DIG Yameen Khan told Dawn that the cameras would be able to record the movement of vehicles, zig-zag driving or rash and negligent driving. The camera would be operated with a nearby traffic section and would help police control the traffic violations and over-speeding of vehicles.
“There is no camera installed anywhere in the city to check traffic violations, although we had installed a camera in the past at Purani Numaish intersection on an experimental basis with the capability to zoom in and out. It can capture the registration number of a vehicle so that the police can locate the vehicle,” he added.
He said the committee had floated a tender and after scrutinizing the bids the order was placed for the purchase of 16 cameras.
“We have also a plan to purchase more cameras which would cost less — Rs250,000 apiece. Aside from spotting traffic violations, these will also help monitor processions and protest demonstrations,” he said.
Meanwhile, a 15-member delegation of Defence Residents Society headed by Zafar Iqbal met Inspector General of Sindh Police Syed Kamal Shah recently during which the IG spoke about the camera purchase plan. Some cameras would also be installed in Defence Society.
The delegation urged holding of a seminar on traffic rules and regulations and about the menace of car hijacking so that awareness could be spread among public and they could help police control crime.
