Goa police map 7k pvt CCTV cams, footage sharing not obligatory

Panaji: While Goa police have mapped around 7,000 CCTV cameras at private houses and establishments across more than 1,300 locations, it is not mandatory for the owners of these houses or establishments to provide footage to police. Govt has not enforced any regulation requiring the sharing of such footage, leaving it to the discretion of the property owners.

Chief minister Pramod Sawant, who is also the home minister, said that a total of 6,810 CCTV cameras have been mapped under ‘Project Netra’ at 1,335 locations in North and South Goa. As it involved only the mapping of CCTV cameras, no expenditure was incurred from the state exchequer.

“The mapping of cameras has been done; however, no legal mandate has been passed for providing footage,” Sawant said.

In North Goa, the highest number of CCTV cameras have been mapped in Panaji (273), followed by Bicholim (115), and Porvorim (92). In South Goa, Fatorda has 830, Margao 721, and Vasco 550. Several cases at police stations in North and South districts were detected by using CCTV footage and other technical resources and equipment. The mapping was done to enhance crime-detection capabilities and enable real-time monitoring of vehicle movement.

Under Project Netra, all the cameras were mapped in the state within a month. The benefit of this is that during any investigation, officers will be able to check the CCTV camera that they require.

Goa police said the initiative will help nab offenders and reduce the time it takes to apprehend the culprits.

Union minister of state Shripad Naik on Thursday raised concerns over the increase in crimes in Goa and said govt is making all efforts to control the spurt. “The law-and-order situation has improved in the state, and some more steps need to be taken,” Naik said.

Goa police have launched a WhatsApp channel and a YouTube channel to create awareness among the public. Through the WhatsApp channel, police want to provide real-time updates on crime detection, traffic alerts, and any other emergencies, and create awareness on road safety, cyber safety, and drug abuse.

Through the YouTube channel, police wants to provide in-depth programmes about good detection and offer educational content along with question-and-answer sessions featuring SPs of districts and units about their domain of work, and in-house coverage of police’s programmes through live telecast.