The Delhi government will audit over 2.6 lakh CCTV cameras installed by the PWD during the previous AAP government, officials said on Sunday. The principal secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD) has ordered this audit to check if the cameras are physically in place and functioning properly, they added.

PWD Minister Parvesh Verma recently stated in the Delhi Assembly that an investigation would be carried out to determine why CCTV cameras were not installed in eight constituencies represented by BJP MLAs during the previous AAP government. He also assured that installing CCTV cameras in these constituencies would now be a priority. A senior officer from the Delhi government stated that the Public Works Department (PWD) carried out a project to install 2.8 lakh CCTV cameras in different phases. According to official records, 2.63 lakh cameras have been installed across various assembly constituencies.

To verify these numbers, an audit will be conducted to physically check the installed cameras. This process will confirm whether the cameras are in place and functioning properly. Additionally, the audit will assess the image quality, coverage area and integration of these cameras with other surveillance systems. "This evaluation will help determine the effectiveness of the cameras in enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement agencies like the Delhi Police," he stated. The PWD is expected to hire a private firm to carry out the audit and submit a report. This report will help the PWD identify areas for improvement and take necessary actions to ensure the CCTV project achieves its goals, officials said.

The audit will also review how CCTV footage is managed to make sure it complies with data protection and privacy laws. The audit report is expected to be ready in about two months, once a suitable IT firm is selected, the officials said.