Mumbai traffic cops will get 1,388 hi-tech body cameras

The cameras will first be used at spots that see more congestion

Motorists on Mumbai's roads will likely be under more watchful eyes from next week, with the traffic cops getting 1,388 hi-tech body cameras. The optical devices will be distributed among the five traffic regions in the city.

The wearable cameras are a part of the department's attempts to enforce road discipline in a more transparent manner and reduce disputes between vehicle users and policemen on the street that sometimes escalate to physical assault and accusations of harassment.

Traffic cops issue between 20,000 and 25,000 challans for motoring infractions across the city every day.

Officials said they expect the cameras to be pressed into action from next week. The monitoring devices will be directly connected to the control of Mumbai traffic police. An officer said the police can be alerted if the camera feed points to an altercation involving a driver and a traffic cop.

Each camera can be connected to a laptop-like device for transfer of data which can be used as evidence against challans and in legal matters. The lightweight and easy-to-use camera also has an emergency button that can start a live broadcast.

"We have received 1,388 body cameras, which is 25 per cent of our numbers. If needed, more body cameras will be procured," said a senior traffic officer.

The officer shared more features of the body cameras. "The battery backup of this camera is up to 8 hours. In each camera, recorded videos will be kept for a month. Initially, the cameras will be used in areas where there is more traffic," said the officer.

Another officer said, "Sometimes the traffic police are also accused of being rude, while drivers on many occasions are disrespectful to the cops. In such a situation, the body camera can establish who is at fault."

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Battery back-up of each camera in hours