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Chennai, Oct 8 (IANS) The Greater Chennai Police is set to transform the iconic Marina Beach area into a high-tech security zone with the installation of around 300 artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.
The advanced system is expected to boost public safety, enable real-time crowd tracking and facial recognition, and assist authorities in curbing crime at one of the city’s busiest public spaces.
According to the request for proposal (RFP) issued by the city police, the project will cover 71 strategic points in five surveillance zones from Labor Statue to Srinivaspuram.
Places include prominent areas like Kannagi Statue, Lighthouse, Napier Bridge, Santhome Church and Kamarajar Salai.
The plan involves deploying 280 fixed 8MP 4K Ultra HD bullet cameras along with 20 PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras capable of facial recognition and automatic number plate detection.
“Each camera pole will be equipped with weatherproof enclosures, network switches and uninterrupted power supply to ensure 24/7 operations,” a senior police officer said.
A mini control room will come up at the Marina Beach police station to collect and monitor the video feed, which will also be live streamed to the city’s Intelligent Command and Control Center (ICCC) at Waiperi.
Officials said the network will rely on a mix of radio frequency links, optical fiber and leased lines to ensure uninterrupted transmission.
The AI-powered platform is designed to deliver instant alerts about unusual crowd formations, suspicious activities and potential security breaches.
Video recordings will be stored locally for 30 days and stored centrally for longer term access.
Officials have assured that data security will remain a priority with firewalls, VPN encryption and intrusion prevention measures in place in the system.
Integration with Chennai’s existing ICCC network – which already connects hundreds of cameras across the city – is also planned. Mylapore MLA Dha Velu said the new surveillance would help in curbing drug-related activity on the beach.
“Many outsiders abuse the place for drug consumption. These cameras will make the area safer, especially beyond the lighthouse, where the number of people is constantly increasing,” he said.
Officials said the project is part of a broader effort to modernize Chennai’s policing infrastructure and ensure that Marina Beach remains vibrant and safe for millions of visitors.
–IANS
AAL/DPB