CCTV cameras to keep watch at heritage sites in state

Those trying to etch their names and that of their beloved on the walls of historical monuments for posterity, better watch out. In a bid to protect these monuments from being defaced with graffiti, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has come up with plans to install closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras at all sites with historical monuments. The project will cover the Hampi ruins and Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur, which has a number of historical hotspots.

The ASI installed seven CCTV cameras at the world-famous Gol Gumbaz: two cameras were fixed inside the Gumbaz, two at the entrance gate while three others were spread over the premises to keep watch on tourists and protect the monument from miscreants.

Defacing monuments and the lack of maintenance had led to a public outcry over the need for protection for these sites, with most of them facing threats both from outsiders and insiders.

Bowing to pressure from the people, the state department of archaeology and museums has prepared a list of heritage cities in the state which includes Gulbarga, Bidar, Bijapur, Srirangapattana, Mysore and Kittur in Belgaum district. Besides, the department has also decided to launch a ‘heritage walk’ in these cities by the month-end to create awareness among the people about the protection of monuments.

As a first step, CCTVs have been already installed in the Virupaksha temple, Lotus Mahal, Queen’s bath temple in Hampi.

The uses of CCTV are many, said an officer with ASI. “It helps keep an eye on miscreants who stray into heritage sites in the guise of tourists, the increasing incidents of attacks on tourists, particularly foreign tourists and attempts to rob them, and also threats from terrorists, particularly to the Gol Gumbaz and Hampi in Karnataka.”

Now, the ASI plans to ins-tal cameras in all important monuments in the region. A senior ASI official said that installation of CCTVs would help them ensure the safety of both the monuments and tourists. “Hundreds of tourists come here every day, and it is difficult to keep watch on each tourist.”