Cops flag poor quality SmartCity cameras in TVM, Mayor seeks explanation

Thiruvananthapuram: The city police have raised serious concerns over the quality of surveillance cameras installed under the SmartCity project, stating they fail to capture even basic details such as vehicle registration numbers. Though promoted as high-quality equipment, the cameras are now flagged for poor performance.

Based on these findings, the police issued a formal letter to the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. In response, the Mayor has sought an explanation from Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited—the agency responsible for implementing the project.

The surveillance system, installed across city streets at a cost of ₹38 crore, was set up by a private Chennai-based firm. The contract, awarded under the SmartCity initiative, aimed to improve urban traffic management and public safety.

However, a technical committee appointed by the police found multiple operational flaws. Some cameras failed to capture registration plates, while others produced unclear or unusable footage. Several installations were poorly wired, lacked essential accessories, and had inadequate power backup. The issue surfaced after multiple vehicle owners complained about receiving traffic violation notices. Police also reported challenges in identifying overspeeding vehicles due to the poor quality of footage from the Police Control Room.

All cameras under the SmartCity project are integrated with the city's Integrated Traffic Management System, with control rooms at both the Police Camp and the Corporation headquarters. The entire procurement and installation process was overseen by Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Limited and a special purpose vehicle set up for the mission. In this context, the Mayor has officially demanded an explanation from the agency regarding the lapses.