Kochi: The CCTV surveillance system, aimed at preventing garbage dumping in public spaces, will become operational within the Kochi Corporation limits this month. Under the project, 148 CCTV cameras with two in each of the city's 74 divisions, are being installed by the civic body in association with a private agency under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.

A surveillance and CCTV control room has been established at the Yathra Auditorium on Park Avenue Road as part of this initiative. With only a few cameras left to be installed, the project is set to be inaugurated later this month by Mayor M Anilkumar.

The surveillance network is being implemented by Thalassery-based Southern Electronics and Security Systems, which is also tasked with installing 150 CCTV cameras for the city police. In return for setting up the system, the company has been granted permission to erect 600 advertisement boards, each measuring 12 square feet, on poles within the Corporation limits for seven years. Revenue from these ad boards will go to the company.

Although the Corporation approved the CCTV surveillance project in October 2023, it had initially authorised its completion by July of the previous year. The first phase of installation is now nearing completion, with a one-year delay.

Meanwhile, the company is yet to begin the installation of CCTV cameras for the police. There were also differences within the Corporation Council regarding the permission granted to the company to put up advertisement boards for such an extended duration.

CCTV surveillance to curb garbage dumping to go live in Kochi this month

Commenting on the initiative, T K Ashraf, Chairperson of the Corporation’s Health Standing Committee, said that cameras are being installed in locations known for regular garbage dumping, especially areas bordering neighbouring local bodies. The control room will operate 24/7 with personnel deployed in three shifts. When incidents of illegal dumping are detected, the footage will be handed over to the respective ward councillor and health inspectors. Based on this evidence, action will be taken against offenders.