MSRTC to Deploy ₹1,111 Crore ‘Digital Shield’: 7,035 CCTV Cameras to Secure Maharashtra’s ‘Lal Pari’
MUMBAI – In a massive push toward passenger safety and infrastructure security, the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is set to wrap its extensive network in a “digital shield.” Under a new ambitious CCTV project, the state’s iconic ‘Lal Pari’ buses and their stations will now be under constant high-tech surveillance to thwart potential security threats and anti-social activities.
Maharashtra Transport Minister and MSRTC Chairman, Pratap Sarnaik, announced on Tuesday that the state government has allocated ₹1,111 crore for this comprehensive security upgrade.
A State-Wide Surveillance Network
The project aims to install 7,035 CCTV cameras across 633 strategic locations. This includes bus stations, depots, divisional workshops, central workshops, and the Central Training Institute (CTI) in Bhosari, Pune.
“Passenger safety is our topmost priority,” Minister Sarnaik stated. “By integrating advanced technology, we are creating an impenetrable security layer from bus stands to divisional offices, ensuring every movement is monitored digitally.”
Key Project Highlights:
- Investment: ₹1,111 Crore.
- Infrastructure: 7,035 cameras at 633 locations.
- Execution Partner: Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL), selected through an e-tendering process.
- Timeline: The project is slated for completion within one year.
- Centralized Control: A state-of-the-art Central Control Room has been established in Mumbai. The User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for this hub has been successfully completed, allowing for real-time monitoring across the state.
Pilot Success and Expansion
The first phase of the rollout has already seen success. CCTV systems have been successfully installed at 64 key locations across the Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, and Palghar divisions.
Work is now moving at a rapid pace to cover the remaining 27 divisions, along with various workshops and administrative offices. This centralized system will allow authorities to identify suspicious behavior instantly and take immediate action, significantly boosting passenger confidence.
“This is more than just installing cameras; it is a historic milestone in providing a digital safety cover to our passengers,” Sarnaik added. With this upgrade, the journey of the ‘Lal Pari’ promises to be not just far-reaching, but smarter and safer than ever before.
