Even because the Ministry of Transport is gearing as much as make closed circuit tv (CCTV) cameras obligatory for all stage carriers in the State, the situation of many such cameras put in in private buses in Kozhikode district subsequent to a directive from the Motor Vehicles division (MVD) almost six years in the past is in a piteous stage. No correct maintenance or monitoring of captured visuals takes place in the case of such surveillance systems put in with a lot fanfare.
“In many buses, the cameras are just scarecrows as bus owners are reportedly reluctant to replace the damaged components or hesitant to do proper service. Many of those who had initially set up monitors near the driver’s cabin to see live feeds have removed them,” mentioned a police officer. He mentioned many backed off from the safety addition after the preliminary zeal.
A serious purpose for proposing surveillance cameras in metropolis buses was the rising incidents of thefts involving migrant ladies. Sexual assaults on ladies passengers and arguments resulting in clashes with bus staff too had been causes for the MVD to encourage use of CCTV cameras in buses. However, a majority had not then cooperated with the thought. There was additionally the MVD’s limitation to implement it in the absence of a State-level regulation.
Though bus staff are typically supportive of the enforcement of the surveillance mission because it provides them some safety at work and powerful proof in case of crimes, bus house owners are but to simply accept it, citing extra monetary liabilities. For many of them, the implementation of the mission inside a restricted interval with none monetary support is impractical.
“Attempts by the police to seize hard disks in case of a theft or other criminal activities actually discouraged many bus operators from properly maintaining the system. To get back the seized hard disk, many operators were forced to toil over legal procedures for a long time,” mentioned a bus conductor. He mentioned the apply of investigation groups to seek out fault with bus house owners in case they discover technical glitches in the course of the examination of seized disks too discouraged many from putting in cameras.
Like private buses, solely only a few academic establishment autos had been discovered sustaining the CCTV cameras correctly. Just a few years in the past, it was one of many key security necessities put forth by the police and the MVD. Though a couple of establishments complied with it following calls for from dad and mom, the shortage of standard monitoring progressively put an finish to the surveillance measure.
