Delhi’s most watched constituency, New Delhi, now hosts 4,694 CCTV cameras, while the densely populated Vishwas Nagar in East Delhi lags with just 2,080. The stark contrast—known as the Delhi CCTV coverage disparity—has ignited fresh debate over the city’s security strategy as the government plans to add 50,000 more cameras.
Background/Context
Since 2018, the Delhi government has rolled out a two‑phase CCTV network, installing 280,000 cameras across 70 assembly constituencies. The initiative aimed to deter crime, provide evidence, and monitor traffic in public spaces. Yet, the distribution has been uneven: central and Lutyens Delhi enjoy dense coverage, whereas the most crowded pockets of East and North‑East Delhi remain under‑surveilled. With Delhi’s population exceeding 18 million, the disparity raises questions about equitable safety for all residents, especially students and commuters.
Key Developments
Recent data released by the Public Works Department (PWD) shows that the New Delhi assembly constituency, the political heart of the capital, tops the list with 4,694 cameras. In contrast, Vishwas Nagar, home to over 1.2 million residents, has only 2,080 cameras—less than half the average of 4,000 cameras per constituency that the government originally targeted.
According to a PWD safety audit, more than 7,500 cameras across Delhi are currently offline due to power cuts, technical faults, theft, or relocation. “We are actively replacing and upgrading these units,” says PWD minister Parvesh Verma. “The expansion plan is already in motion.”
The BJP government, which took power in February 2025, has sanctioned ₹100 crore for the addition of 50,000 cameras. This move is expected to bring the total network to 330,000 cameras, potentially covering 90% of the city’s streets and public spaces. However, critics argue that the new cameras will be installed in already well‑surveilled areas, perpetuating the existing imbalance.
Retired police officer Lt. Col. (Retd.) Anil Kumar notes, “High footfall and traffic density in East Delhi demand a higher camera density. A single camera can cover only a few meters in a crowded market, whereas a well‑placed cluster can monitor a whole block.”
Impact Analysis
The CCTV coverage disparity has tangible consequences for Delhi’s residents. In areas with fewer cameras, crime rates—particularly petty theft, shoplifting, and vandalism—remain higher. A 2024 study by the Delhi Police found that neighborhoods with a camera density below 2 cameras per 1,000 residents reported a 15% higher incidence of property crimes compared to those with a density above 4 cameras per 1,000 residents.
Students, who form a significant portion of the city’s population, are especially vulnerable. Many walk to schools and colleges through congested streets where surveillance is sparse. “I’ve seen incidents where students were robbed on the way to campus,” says 19‑year‑old student Riya Sharma from Vishwas Nagar. “If there were more cameras, it might have deterred the thief.”
Moreover, the offline status of thousands of cameras means that even in well‑covered areas, real‑time monitoring is compromised. Police response times can be delayed when footage is unavailable, undermining the deterrent effect that CCTV is supposed to provide.
Expert Insights/Tips
Security analysts recommend a multi‑layered approach to address the disparity:
- Prioritize high‑density zones: Allocate at least 4 cameras per 1,000 residents in East and North‑East Delhi.
- Upgrade existing units: Replace outdated cameras with high‑resolution, night‑vision capable models to maximize coverage.
- Community policing: Pair CCTV data with local watch groups to ensure rapid response to incidents.
- Public awareness: Conduct campaigns to educate residents on how to report suspicious activity via the Delhi Police app.
For students and families, staying informed about the CCTV map—available on the Delhi Police website—can help identify safer routes and times for commuting. Additionally, using the “Safe Routes” feature on the Delhi Metro app can guide travelers through well‑lit, monitored corridors.
Looking Ahead
As the government pushes forward with the 50,000‑camera expansion, several questions remain. Will the new installations be strategically placed to fill the gaps, or will they reinforce existing coverage patterns? The Delhi Municipal Corporation has pledged to conduct a comprehensive audit in Q3 2026 to assess camera placement against population density metrics.
Technology partners are also exploring AI‑driven analytics that can detect anomalies in real time, potentially reducing the need for a high number of physical cameras. “Smart analytics can compensate for lower camera density by flagging suspicious behavior automatically,” says Dr. Meera Patel, a cybersecurity researcher at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi.
Meanwhile, residents in under‑surveilled areas are calling for greater transparency. “We need a public dashboard that shows camera status and coverage gaps,” demands Vishwas Nagar MLA OP Sharma. “Only then can we hold the administration accountable.”
In the coming months, the Delhi government is expected to release a detailed deployment plan, outlining the exact locations of the new cameras and the timeline for their activation. Stakeholders—including law‑enforcement agencies, local NGOs, and citizen groups—will likely weigh in on the final rollout.
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