Bhubaneswar, Oct. 28: The CCTV-based integrated security system at the Bhubaneswar railway station has failed to serve the purpose because of the poor quality of cameras.
Two weeks ago, a thief escaped after snatching the vanity bag of a woman from the waiting hall at the station. The bag contained cash worth of Rs 7,000, a mobile phone and some other valuables. The woman lodged a complaint with the Government Railway Police (GRP), which checked the CCTV footage in the control room. However, the picture quality was so poor that the accused could not be identified.
In another important case, the hazy CCTV footage had failed to provide any clue to the police about the death of Kulamani Mishra, 46, of Kafla Bazaar in Cuttack whose body was found in his car in the parking lot of Bhubaneswar railway station on February 2 this year.
"We receive frequent complaints of thefts and other crimes, but poor quality of the camera makes it difficult to identify the accused," said a GRP official.
The integrated security system, which also includes doorframe and hand-held metal detectors, was introduced at the station last year at an estimated cost of Rs 2.4 crore. Altogether 32 CCTVs were installed at the railway station, including 24 on the four platforms. It was considered important as more than seven lakh passengers pass through the station every month with more than 120 trains either originating or passing through the station everyday.
However, the CCTVs have become practically useless. Passengers have demanded installation of advanced cameras at the station. "The police have installed high-quality CCTVs at various locations in the city that is helping them in crime control. The railway authorities should also install such cameras at the station," said Saroj Sahu, a passenger.
Chief public relation officer of East Coast Railway J.P. Mishra said he had not received any complaint in regard to the cameras. "We ill review the surveillance system at the station and upgrade it if necessary. The CCTVs have been of much use even in crowd management at the station," said Mishra.
