The ICCC project, which began in February 2023, started encountering thefts within months of installation
Amritsar’s Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) project, launched under the Smart City Mission at a cost of RS 105 crore, has been repeatedly targeted by thieves, severely disrupting the city’s surveillance network. Over the past 26 months, nearly 750 batteries valued at around RS 50 lakh have been stolen from CCTV camera units installed across the city.
The scale of the thefts has alarmed officials, especially as several incidents occurred in high-security zones, including outside the DCP (Law and Order) office, GT Road near Guru Harkrishan School, the DC office, Court Complex and Maqboolpura. In three cases, miscreants even uprooted entire poles along with the cameras.
Officials said the company implementing the Smart City project has lodged around 150 complaints across various police stations, but no recoveries have been made so far. Owing to the persistent thefts, authorities have been forced to directly connect nearly 200 CCTV cameras to the main power supply, bypassing their battery backup systems. As a result, many cameras shut down during power cuts, interrupting the city’s 24×7 monitoring capability.
While 1,114 CCTV cameras remain operational under the ICCC network, surveillance is irregular at nearly 65 locations because of missing batteries. Thieves reportedly conduct a recce before cutting the main power line, disabling backup systems and stealing batteries and other equipment.
The ICCC project, which began in February 2023, started encountering thefts within months of installation. Batteries have been stolen from 125 locations. At least 30 sites saw newly installed batteries stolen again, while at another 40 locations, thieves managed to remove batteries, cables, network switches and UPS units despite the installation of metal casings and other protective measures.
Mayor Jatinder Singh Bhatia described the incidents as a major setback to a critical city safety programme. “The ICCC is vital for city safety. I will take up the matter with the Police Commissioner to ensure the culprits are caught and the stolen equipment recovered. We will also request intensified night patrolling,” he said.
Social activist Pawan Sharma criticised the ongoing thefts as a sign of administrative failure, saying they have delayed the ICCC’s full rollout and weakened Amritsar’s real-time surveillance system.
