Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced plans to install 50,000 new CCTV cameras across the city and introduce smart streetlights linked to an Integrated Command and Control System, following concerns from Delhi University students about women’s safety and inadequate security around campuses.
Gupta outlined the proposals during an interaction with elected student representatives from Delhi University colleges. The planned CCTV network will be supported by Annual Maintenance Contracts, or AMCs, intended to ensure that cameras remain operational and receive regular upkeep after installation.
The proposed smart streetlighting system will also be connected to the city’s command and control infrastructure. According to the announcement, the system will be capable of detecting faults automatically, while contractors will be responsible for repairs under AMCs. The maintenance arrangement is significant because non-functional surveillance equipment and broken streetlights can weaken the effectiveness of safety infrastructure even after capital works are completed.
The measures follow safety concerns raised by Delhi University student representatives over public spaces around campuses, including inadequate street lighting and limited CCTV coverage. During an earlier interaction with DU representatives, Gupta had directed officials to increase lighting and surveillance in and around North Campus.
The announcement comes amid wider concerns over women’s safety in Delhi. Students of Lady Shri Ram College had held a protest demanding stronger safety measures for women in the city, citing unsafe public spaces and inadequate security. The issue has also been highlighted by a recent incident in which three men posing as police personnel allegedly threatened a 17-year-old boy during a birthday outing. The accused were reportedly carrying firearms and a knife.
The proposed system places surveillance cameras, street lighting and the command-and-control network within a single urban safety framework. However, the announcement does not specify the locations of all 50,000 cameras, the installation schedule, the cost of the programme, the agency responsible for implementation or the standards that will govern access to surveillance footage.
The use of AMCs for both CCTV cameras and smart streetlights indicates that the plan is intended to address not only installation but also long-term operation. For residents and students, the immediate impact will depend on whether equipment is placed in poorly lit streets, routes to public transport, campus peripheries and other locations identified as unsafe.
The next steps will involve officials translating the announcement into a location-wise deployment plan, maintenance contracts and implementation timelines. The government has not yet provided those details in the reported announcement.
