Terror target: CCTV cameras at prime locations in Bengaluru dysfuntional

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has been put on high alert following the cooker blast in Mangaluru. According to police sources, though Bengaluru is on the terror radar, it is matter of concern that most of the CCTV cameras at major locations in the city are not functioning properly.

The KSRTC bus stand in Bengaluru is also one of prime place in the city and needs additional surveillance.

A reality check conducted by Public TV revealed that CCTV cameras were not even functioning in densely populated places and bus stands. Video survelliance cameras are essential at public places these days as crimes rates and sexual abuse cases are increasing.

In Bengaluru, CCTV cameras have remained unused in some places and a thick layer of dust has settled on them. Not only at the central bus staion, surveillance cameras are not working properly in commercial hubs like Commercial Street.

Wires of CCTV camera near the BJP headquarters in Malleshwaram were damaged long ago, but have not been repaired.

The wires of a CCTV camera near the BJP office in Malleswaram have snapped long ago, but have not been fixed.  Similar is the situation in Vyalikaval where CCTV cameras are dysfunctional.

It may be recalled that in April 2013, a low-intensity bomb had exploded just 100 metres away from the BJP headquarters in Malleswaram.

A thick layer of dust has settled on a CCTV camera at the KSRTC bus stand due to lack of maintenance.

The BBMP and the police department have installed CCTV cameras in major areas but even those are not being maintained propertly.

Citizens have been demanding the installation of CCTV cameras in public places such as malls, railway stations, bus stands, hotels, parks, markets and other public places for improved safety.