In today's era, where the methods of crime are also becoming hi-tech, equipping policing with modern techniques has become the need of the hour. In the capital Delhi, which is the political and social heartbeat of the country, the safety of citizens is the top priority. With this goal in mind, the Delhi Police has started the "Safe City Project," in which state-of-the-art AI (Artificial Intelligence) based cameras and surveillance systems are being used.
In this article, we will learn how this initiative of Delhi Police works, what techniques are involved in it, and how it is affecting the safety of the general public.
What is the 'Safe City "project?
'Safe City 'is a scheme in which the city is made more safe and alert with the help of technology. Its main objective is to make public places safe for women, children, elderly and common citizens.
In sensitive and congested locations of Delhi, this program has placed cutting-edge cameras, sound detectors, vehicle identification systems, and public address systems that not only monitor but also identify suspicious activities and alert the police immediately.
How does AI work?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used in this project especially for video analytics. The technology scans video footage coming from hundreds of cameras in real-time and identifies suspicious activities.
For example:
- if someone is acting strangely by the side of the road.
- A woman looks uncomfortable surrounded in a group.
- Suddenly a crowd gathers at a place.
- There was a sound like gunfire.
- Any vehicle is violating the traffic rules.
- As soon as the AI notices this action, it notifies the control room.
A network of cameras: Delhi's new security wall
Thousands of cameras have been installed in Delhi and more are being installed. These cameras are divided into several categories:
1) Bullet Cameras
There are fixed cameras that keep an eye on a certain area. They are mainly installed in streets, squares, bus stops, and markets.
2) The PTZ camera
These cameras can pan, tilt and zoom. That is, if needed, you can zoom in on a particular place or person and take a clear picture.
3) Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras
These cameras are capable of reading the number plates of the vehicles. With the help of these, stolen vehicles, traffic violators or vehicles involved in suspicious activities can be identified immediately.
4) Facial recognition cameras
These cameras identify faces and combine them with police records to identify suspects.
5) Gunshot Detection Units
If a bullet is fired somewhere, these systems immediately send a warning by recognizing its sound. Police reached the spot immediately.
Special focus on women's safety
Delhi smart city security, special priority has been given to the safety of women. In a metropolis like Delhi, it is common for women to return from work late at night, travel in public transport or walk alone, but sometimes the unsafe environment does not leave them behind.
As part of this project:
Special vigil is being maintained outside metro stations, bus stands, PG / hostels, schools and colleges. The AI-powered cameras instantly give out notifications when they notice men engaging in eve-teasing or suspicious gatherings near a woman. From the control room, the police reach the spot immediately, even if no one has filed a complaint. This proactive security system makes women feel mentally and socially safe.
Modern control room: C4i center.
Delhi Police has also made its command and control room state-of-the-art, which is called C4i Center - i.e. Command, Control, Communication, and Computer Integration.
Here it is:
- Live footage is monitored on hundreds of screens.
- All alerts are recorded in real-time.
- The police can immediately take a decision and send it to the unit.
- Delhi smart city security and utilized as proof in court or in subsequent investigations.
- Traffic control and crime prevention
AI-based cameras have also improved traffic management. Now:
- On jumping the red light, the challan is deducted immediately.
- Overspeeding vehicles can be identified and tracked.
- It has become easier to catch old criminals or absconding suspects by identifying their faces.
- All these facilities have helped in bringing down the crime rate.
Transparency and accountability
Delhi Police is now giving priority to transparency as well. Police personnel are being given body-worn cameras so that all their movements are recorded when they are on duty.
From this:
- In any dispute, it is easy to bring out the truth.
- The police also have a greater responsibility.
- People's faith in the police has increased.
The public address system: Communicating directly with the public
Now the police are not only monitoring, but are also able to communicate live. The public can receive instructions from the police via microphones and camera-equipped loudspeakers.
Such as:
- If a person is driving in the wrong direction, he can be stopped immediately.
- A warning can be given if rumours spread in the crowd.
- People can be guided in case of emergency.
Challenges and directions for improvement
While the plan appears to be highly successful, some challenges have emerged:
- Sometimes the cameras get damaged and can't be repaired in time.
- Monitoring is hampered due to lack of technical staff.
- The AI is still not 100% accurate, which leads to some false alerts.
- Citizens are concerned about data security and privacy.
To address these challenges:
- Regular maintenance is being ensured.
- Officers are being trained in new techniques.
- Strong laws are being made to protect data.
Read More:- Most recent AI and Semiconductor Innovations in Delhi
Conclusion: A big step towards the future
'Safe City "is not just a project, but a vision - An approach that makes policing modern from traditional. Where earlier the police used to reach after incidents, now they are reaching after being alerted before the incident. It's not just about technology, it's also about mindset. If these technologies are properly maintained, trained and implemented with transparency, Delhi can become not only the capital of India but also the "capital of security."
