Buses in TN to have CCTV cameras installed in phases: Min

The Tamil Nadu government today said that CCTV cameras would be installed in all state-run buses in a phased manner as part of efforts to check crime.
The government has already installed CCTV cameras in 100 air-conditioned Volvo buses in Chennai with each vehicle fitted with two of the said devices, Transport Minister P Thangamani said replying to questions in the state Assembly.
There are over 22,000 buses run by government corporations in the state and the cost of installing CCTV cameras on each bus is about Rs 25,000, he said, indicating that it might be difficult to cover all the buses at one go.

"Considering the financial position, it (installing CCTV cameras) will be done in a phased manner in Tamil Nadu in other town and suburban buses as well," he said.
Buses like privately-run omni buses will also be directed to install CCTV cameras, the minister added. A Supreme Court advisory for installation of cameras in buses was also under the government's consideration, he said.
Thangamani was responding to questions from MH Jawahirullah (MMK), R Sarathkumar (AISMK) and JG Prince (Congress), who wanted to know whether the government would take steps to install CCTV cameras in government-run buses.
While Jawahirrulah said clashes have been prevented in Tuticorin district where such cameras were installed in a section of the buses, Prince said the initiative could help check crime.