The move comes in the face of prolonged load-shedding hours affecting the continuous operation of such cameras. The motive is to ensure maximum security in the area that is one of the busiest business hubs of the country. [break]
The proposal was first handed to the Metropolitan Police Sector Janasewa, which then passed it to the KMC.
Hem Kumar Thapa, a police inspector with Janasewa, said, "The KMC is also positive about installing the solar panels as a backup power supply for the cameras." He said that apart from supplying power to the cameras, the solar panels will also light the streets during load-shedding.
The police acknowledged that New Road is a highly sensitive area from the point of view of security. More than 150 banks, finance institutions, co-operatives and big jewelry shops operate in the area and businessmen from across the country visit the place carrying huge amount of cash to make wholesale purchases. "In a highly sensitive area such as New Road, CCTV cameras are vital for maintaining security," Thapa said.
With the initiation of local youth groups of New Road, 26 cameras were installed in the area last year. But youths at New Road areas complained that business sectors are not co-operating with them in maintaining the security in the area. "They do not even light up the hoardings which can help improve the visibility of the cameras at the time of power cut," Rajiv Shrestha, a social worker, said.
He complained that banks and financial institutions have refused to provide backup electricity for the cameras. He said that even businessmen cannot deny that they feel more secure than before after the installation of the cameras. "We are working to expand this technology to every chowk and alleys of this area," he said.
The police said that after the installation of such cameras, crime like robbery has declined dramatically. Businessmen at Pako area have gone so far as to remove the security guards from their establishments after the installation of CCTVs.
When a jewelry shop in the area was burgled sometime ago, the thieves chose the time of power cut, when the CCTV cameras would not operate, inspector Thapa said.
Senior police officials also find the CCTV cameras helpful for an entirely different reason. Police personals, they say, are becoming more responsible toward their duties as seniors can monitor their activities from office. "No one can escape duty now. When I do not see them in the field, I immediately ask them to show up in front of the camera," he added.
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