Union Home Minister Amit Shah marked a significant day for the national capital’s security during the 79th Raising Day parade of the Delhi Police. He laid the foundation stone for 10 new projects designed to upgrade the police infrastructure and safety measures in New Delhi. The most discussed initiative is the ‘Safe City Project,’ which aims to use advanced technology to keep a closer watch on the city streets.
What is the Safe City Project?
The Safe City Project is a major step towards modernizing how Delhi is monitored. Amit Shah announced that this project involves connecting the city with 10,000 AI-enabled cameras. These are not just ordinary cameras but advanced systems capable of real-time monitoring.
In the first phase of this program, 2,100 of these cameras have already gone live. Apart from the new installations, the police have successfully linked over 15,000 existing cameras into this central system. This project is funded by the central government under the Nirbhaya Fund with an estimated cost of around ₹800 crore.
New Headquarters and Police Stations
Besides the digital upgrades, physical infrastructure is also getting a boost. A new integrated headquarters for the Special Cell will be constructed in Lodhi Colony. This building is expected to cost between ₹370 crore and ₹400 crore.
To make the police more accessible to the common public, the plan also includes setting up three new police stations and six new police chowkis across different areas. This move intends to reduce the response time when citizens call for help.
Focus on Women Safety and Crime Control
The primary goal of these initiatives is to create a secure environment for residents, especially women. The Home Minister expressed confidence that the Safe City plan will take Delhi’s security to a new level in the coming days.
Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golchha also emphasized that the force is ready to handle any situation. He stated that their priorities include building a drug-free India, fighting cyberterrorism, and breaking organized crime networks in the city.
