The implementation of CCTV cameras as part of the Smart City project in Chandigarh has significantly aided the police in solving a majority of recent vehicle theft cases. Officials report the successful dismantling of two vehicle theft gangs in the past month, with the assistance of these high-resolution cameras. In total, 31 stolen vehicles have been recovered as a result.

CCTV cameras deployed under the Smart City initiative play a crucial role in investigations, capturing the registration number plates of vehicles simultaneously. Superintendent of Police (City) Shruti Arora emphasizes the importance of human intelligence alongside the technological support provided by these cameras. Cameras installed on main roads prove beneficial in resolving vehicle thefts, road rage incidents, and road accidents, while privately installed CCTV cameras in residential areas are relied upon for cases like snatching.

The first gang, consisting of two drug addicts, specialized in stealing Royal Enfield (Bullet) motorbikes across the Tricity region (Panchkula, Mohali, and Chandigarh). Police arrested them on October 23, recovering 15 stolen bikes. The second gang, hailing from Uttar Pradesh, was apprehended on October 24 for stealing 16 motorcycles from Sector 17 and Sector 22. Ali Hussain, 19, and Hashnabi, 20, sold the stolen vehicles at discounted prices in their hometowns after transporting them from Chandigarh to Ambala.

Apart from tackling vehicle thefts, the CCTV cameras played a crucial role in apprehending notorious burglars like Jaswinder Singh Barar, a suspended jail warden from Haryana, on November 21.

Inspector Jai Parkash Singh, Station House Officer (SHO) of Sector 49 police station, highlights the effectiveness of the cameras in tracking down suspects. For instance, they identified the vehicle used by burglar Jaswinder Singh Barar through CCTV footage, providing a clear registration number that facilitated their investigation.

Chandigarh currently boasts a network of 2115 CCTV cameras, with 1123 dedicated to surveillance and the remainder utilized for the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS). The ITMS cameras are controlled by the Police Command Control Centre (PCCC) in Sector 17.