Biz zone under CCTV watch to check crimes, respond to emergencies

Kolkata: The Kolkata Police will install 53 more CCTV cameras at 40 spots in KMC's ward 23, focusing on Posta and Jorasanko, where daily transactions amount to several crores. The initiative comes in response to recurring thefts, pickpocketing, and fraud, and impersonation cases. A recent incident involved the theft of 400g of gold jewellery from a merchant's employee by an individual posing as a CBI officer. The targeted area includes localities, like Hanspukur and Adibashitala's Sonapatti, that sees hundreds of thousands of daily visitors for commercial activities. The expansion will also cover almost all major intersections, including Kalakar Street-Devendra Dutta Lane crossing, Shibtala Street-Baikuntha Seth Lane crossing, and KK Tagore Street-Rabindra Sarani crossing. "The new surveillance system will enable both Lalbazar and Posta PS to directly monitor all streets in the area," said a joint CP. The project, estimated to cost Rs 20 lakh, will be carried out using the MPLAD scheme. It has been decided that all cameras will be 5 MP Bullet IP. The project is likely to be completed before Durga Puja, said sources. "The camera will be connected through a fibre optic cable with the help of other equipment. The last-mile connections will terminate to an Optical Line Transmission at Posta PS. It will record at least 21 days of footage for each camera," the technical details of the tender suggest."This extensive CCTV network will serve as a force multiplier for our police force," said a DCP. "The strategic placement of cameras will help us monitor pedestrian flow, prevent crime, and respond more quickly to emergencies." Local business owners and residents are expected to benefit from the enhanced security measures, though some questioned if this will mean lesser cop presence in the area.