Navi mumbai Defunct for a year, CCTVs to be replaced

After police found 14 CCTVs to be defunct, the civic body reviews security loopholes

CBD BELAPUR: Vishnudas Bhave auditorium in Vashi, which serves as a cultural and social centre in the city, is all set to step up security.

The electrical department of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has begun the process of replacing defunct CCTV cameras in the auditorium in view of the recent terror threats.

Last month, the Vashi police received a complaint regarding the presence of two terror suspects in the auditorium.

A few days prior to that, an autorickshaw driver had reported to the police about terror talks between two people near Airoli toll naka. The suspects had left by the time the police reached there.

When the police checked the CCTV cameras in the auditorium, they found that most of them were defunct.

“We found that 14 of the 16 cameras installed had been defunct for almost a year,” said deputy commissioner of police Shahji Umap.

The electrical department

of NMMC had refused to take responsibility of the cameras, which had been gifted to the premises.

The police however took the matter seriously as, a few years back, a bomb had been found in the auditorium during the staging of a controversial play.

Municipal commissioner

Dinesh Waghmare ordered the replacement of the cameras after the police wrote to NMMC and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) party workers took up the matter with the civic officials.

“The security of Vishnudas Bhave auditorium is very important issue as a large number of people regularly visit the auditorium, which has become the city’s landmark,” said Waghmare.

An official from the electrical department said, “The officials have inspected the premises and decided on the places where the cameras will be installed. New CCTV cameras will be installed at the auditorium to secure it.”

Another official said, “The cost to be incurred for the installation of CCTV cameras had been sent to the accounts department for sanction but has been returned to the electrical department as there are a few queries.” ›is The security of Vishnudas Bhave auditorium

a very important issue as a large number of people regularly visit the auditorium, which has become a landmark of the city

BACHCHAN KUMAR One of the CCTV cameras at Vishnudas Bhave auditorium, Vashi, which will be replaced.