200 more CCTVs for surveillance in Tihar jail

NEW DELHI: With a view to enhance security inside the Tihar prison complex, authorities have decided to install 200 more CCTVs at a cost of Rs two crore to cover all barracks and high security cells.

The move comes as a follow-up to the first phase of installation of 258 cameras in Tihar and Rohini jail complex early this year at a cost of Rs 2.60 crore.

In the second phase which is likely to be commissioned later in 2007, CCTVs will also be installed at different sections of jail factory and internal control room.

"The new installation of 200 cameras will be an extension of our efforts to strengthen security system inside the jail complex and help in monitoring key activities in all the prisons from a Centralised Control Room, established at Prisons Headquarters," Sunil Gupta, Tihar Jail spokesperson, said.

"The whole project of installation, testing and commissioning of the CCTV cameras is likely to be completed within this financial year only and will cost around Rs two crore," he told the reporters.

The cameras installed in the first phase covered strategic and sensitive areas of the prison like interview room, high-tops and some barracks with a high-tech control room put in place in all jails and at the headquarters to monitor different activities.

A plan to install "cell phone jammers" in Tihar is under the active consideration of the authorities.

"There are number of other proposals to strengthen the existing security arrangements and concerned officials are actively involved in it," Gupta said.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com