Lucknow's CCTV system struggles with nighttime surveillance issues

In Lucknow, the city's surveillance system is facing serious challenges at night. The high-tech CCTV cameras, installed under a project costing around ₹200 crore, are not being actively monitored after sunset. An investigation revealed that only a few employees remain at the control center after 8 PM, raising concerns about security. Currently, there are about 1,630 CCTV cameras installed across Lucknow. However, during night hours, monitoring is severely limited. Lack of personnel and inadequate use of technology means that the cameras often can't help in emergencies. The Smart City office was found to have only two employees present after sunset, preparing to leave for the day. A staff member mentioned that no officials stay on-site to oversee the surveillance systems at night. This raises doubts about the ability to respond quickly to incidents. The traffic management office has a different setup, with police on duty around the clock. They monitor traffic through a separate system, but only a few officials are available for general surveillance after hours. The cameras themselves are equipped with AI features, capable of detecting suspicious behavior, but the lack of active monitoring has diminished their effectiveness. Police officials acknowledge that without sufficient staff, they struggle to respond to crimes detected by the cameras. Recent incidents have highlighted these shortcomings, as delays in alerting police have led to missed opportunities to catch suspects. Following a murder case reported earlier this month, the new joint commissioner of police visited the monitoring office to assess the situation. He recognized the need for more personnel during night shifts to improve security. Despite the significant investment in technology, questions remain about the efficiency of the system. Officials claim that the cameras can identify unusual activities and assist in tracking missing persons. However, limitations in AI technology mean that certain incidents may go undetected, particularly those occurring inside vehicles. Overall, the effectiveness of Lucknow's CCTV system is being called into question, prompting officials to reconsider how surveillance is managed during critical hours.