The evaluation will include an inspection of image quality, the range of coverage, and how well the systems are integrated with other surveillance mechanisms such as local police monitoring stations
The Delhi government has initiated plans to audit more than 260,000 CCTV cameras installed by the Public Works Department (PWD) during the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) regime. The audit comes in response to rising concerns about the operational status of the surveillance network, particularly in constituencies represented by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLAs.
According to government officials, the audit will include a physical verification of the CCTV cameras to determine their installation status, functionality, and integration with the city’s broader surveillance network. The exercise, ordered by the principal secretary of PWD, will assess the effectiveness of the cameras in supporting public safety and aiding law enforcement.
PWD Minister Parvesh Verma recently informed the Delhi Assembly that a thorough investigation would be carried out to understand why CCTV cameras had not been installed in eight constituencies represented by BJP legislators during the previous government’s tenure. “We will prioritise the installation of cameras in these constituencies going forward,” Verma stated.
A senior official said that the PWD had rolled out a phased project to install approximately 280,000 cameras across Delhi. Records indicate that around 263,000 cameras have already been installed, but the audit will physically verify these figures and ensure that the cameras are operating as intended.
“The audit will not only confirm the physical presence of the cameras but also check whether they are functional, what areas they cover, and whether they are providing clear imagery useful for law enforcement,” the official added.
The evaluation will include an inspection of image quality, the range of coverage, and how well the systems are integrated with other surveillance mechanisms such as local police monitoring stations. The audit is also expected to assess the management of CCTV footage to ensure compliance with data protection and privacy laws.
Given the large scale of the project, officials have indicated that a private IT consultancy may be appointed to carry out the audit and submit a comprehensive report.
The outcome of the audit could have implications for future investments in public surveillance infrastructure and may inform a revised strategy to improve safety in underserved areas. The Delhi government has yet to announce the timeline for the audit, but officials have suggested that it will begin in the coming weeks.