Navi Mumbai’s CCTV Network: A Game-Changer in Crime Resolution

Navi Mumbai, 14th January 2024: Navi Mumbai has achieved remarkable success in crime resolution, solving 936 cases since the implementation of a comprehensive CCTV camera network in 2012. Strategically placed by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) and the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (CIDCO), these cameras have become a vital tool in crime prevention and investigation.

The CCTV network, currently comprising 803 operational cameras, serves multiple purposes, including traffic monitoring, violator detection, and aiding criminal investigations. Plans are underway to expand the network with an additional 1,200 cameras in the future.

Since the initiation of the CCTV system in 2012, it has played a crucial role in resolving various criminal cases, ranging from chain snatchings and hit-and-runs to vehicle thefts. The cameras in Zone I (Airoli to Belapur) and Zone II (Kharghar to Panvel) have been strategically placed at major roads, junctions, sensitive areas, railway stations, markets, and bus stops.

Girish Thakare, Assistant Commissioner of Police (wireless), praised the proactive monitoring approach of command centre officers who continuously observe screens for suspicious activities. The police actively collaborate with the system, receiving requests for specific footage to aid investigations. This collaborative effort has proven effective in cracking cases.

The success of the CCTV network is exemplified by its contribution to solving high-profile cases. The murder of jeweller Savji Manjeri Patel saw crucial breakthroughs through surveillance footage, leading to the identification and subsequent arrests of the accused. Other cases, including a dacoity in Vashi and the apprehension of serial offenders Fayyaz Shaikh and Rehan Qureshi, have been significantly aided by CCTV evidence.

The NMMC is actively expanding its surveillance capabilities by installing an additional 1,200 cameras in Zone I, further strengthening digital supervision. These efforts underscore the critical role played by advanced surveillance technology in maintaining public safety and providing valuable support to law enforcement in their investigative endeavours. The success stories highlight the positive impact of the CCTV network on crime resolution in

Navi Mumbai.