the goan I network
VASCO
At a time when Goa Police has been emphasising the importance of CCTVs in detection of crimes, the port town which is home to several sensitive and vital installations does not have CCTV coverage in public
spaces.
Believe it or not, 52-odd CCTV cameras had been installed at various places in Vasco city and while some CCTV cameras are
missing, many others are not functional.
According to a source, 52-odd CCTV cameras were installed at various locations in Vasco under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) Scheme by then MP Fransisco Sardinha at a cost of Rs 50 lakh
in 2011.
“The CCTV cameras worked fine for some time, but they soon became non-functional. Today, Sardinha is back as MP, but the CCTV cameras he had installed under MPLAD funds are of no use,” said the
source.
“These 52 CCTV cameras were installed on electricity poles at important junctions in Vasco to keep a watch on criminal activities and also to help MMC keep a watch on encroachments by vendors. But they have been defunct for a long time
now.”
“These non-functional CCTV cameras should not be taken lightly because CCTV technology is important to keep a tab on criminal activities, helping the police and the traffic cell, besides helping MMC keep a strict vigil on encroachment,” said the source.
