Gujarat Police Pushes Statewide CCTV Expansion

GANDHINAGAR : Gujarat Police is turning to citizens to plug gaps in the state’s surveillance network, asking housing societies, traders and commercial establishments to put more CCTV cameras on roads, parking areas and key entry-exit points.

State Police Chief Gyanendra Singh Malik has directed police commissioners and district superintendents to expand the network through voluntary public participation. The initiative seeks to replicate the Ahmedabad model, where more than 24,000 CCTV cameras were installed with support from citizens, traders and associations between 2024 and 2026.

“The wider the network, the greater the security,” police officials said while outlining the initiative.

According to the police, more than 3.88 lakh private CCTV cameras are currently operational across Gujarat. However, surveillance coverage remains comparatively limited at public roads, parking areas and entry and exit points of residential societies.

Police officials said broader coverage could help prevent crime, identify suspects and improve investigations by providing footage of movements around incident locations.

Malik has instructed senior police officials to hold meetings with residents, housing societies and traders’ associations and encourage them to voluntarily install cameras at strategic locations.

The police have also issued technical guidelines for CCTV installations. Residents and establishments have been advised to ensure cameras cover surrounding roads and parking spaces rather than focusing only on their own premises.

Cameras with night vision, at least 4-megapixel resolution and adequate storage capacity have been recommended for more effective surveillance, particularly after dark.

The Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate the statewide campaign.

Police officials said the objective is to build a stronger partnership between law enforcement agencies and citizens.

The department has appealed to residents and businesses to contribute towards a “Safe Gujarat”, arguing that citizen participation can expand the surveillance network while strengthening the police’s ability to respond to and investigate criminal incidents.