19 January,2016 07:22 AM IST | | Faisal Tandel
While 12 of the 35 cameras at Thane station are defunct, images from the remaining cameras cannot be viewed as the LCD monitoring system has been gathering dust since two months
The busy Thane railway station, which is a hub for both local and outstation trains, is a prime example of a major security lapse. With 35 CCTV cameras installed all over the station, you'd think the police is seriously monitoring everybody's move. But, that's not the case. Most of these cameras do not work and images from those that do cannot be viewed by cops for lack of a monitoring system from the last two months.
The contractor says the process of connecting the cameras directly to a command centre at Thane commissioner office and traffic police chowky will take at least a month. Pics/Sameer Markande
Informatics E-tech India Limited, the firm responsible for the maintenance of the cameras claims that they are working to set up the command center at Thane commissioner office. "Six years ago, 35 CCTV cameras were installed under Satis Bridge (Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme) and out of them 23 work. Also, the LCD monitoring system is dysfunctional. We are working on connecting the cameras directly to a command centre at Thane commissioner office and traffic police chowky, which will take at least a month. We are working to get a proper command center at the commissioner office," said Rajendra Jagdale, director of Informatics E-tech India Limited.
The LCD TV kept aside at Thane railway station's traffic unit
mid-day visited the traffic unit near Thane railway station and found the LCD screen, which is the monitoring system, gathering dust.
"We are continuously following up with the contractors to get them started as they help us prevent crimes like chain snatching, harassment and other petty crimes. Miscreants also think twice before doing something when they are under CCTV surveillance," said Deepak Chaudhari, senior police inspector, Naupada traffic unit.
The cameras given by MP Rajan Vichare were installed some six years ago to keep an eye on criminals, errant auto-rickshaw drivers and robbers. Around 6.5 lakh passengers use the Thane railway station premises everyday. "Lakhs of people come to Thane station every day and the cameras were installed for their safety. After installation the maintenance work should be done by the contractor and if there was any problem they should have informed us. I have sanctioned Rs 50 lakh from my MP fund for installation of CCTV cameras across Thane city," said Vichare.
