Expedite process to procure 1.5 lakh more CCTV cameras: Kejriwal to officials

Asserting that women safety is the top priority of the Delhi government, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Monday directed officials to expedite the process to procure 1.5 lakh more CCTV cameras for the city's residential areas.

He also reviewed the ongoing construction work of mohalla (neighbourhood) clinics and directed officers concerned to ensure their completion at the earliest.

In a statement, the government said the chief minister at a meeting directed the Public Works Department to expedite the CCTV camera procurement process and seek necessary approvals to bring the matter to the Cabinet at the earliest, so that nearly three lakh cameras can be installed in residential areas.

Currently, work to install around 1.5 lakh CCTV cameras across the national is underway.

"Women safety is the top priority of our government and we will leave no stone unturned in doing whatever we can to ensure that our sisters and mothers feel secure when they step out of their doors.

"CCTVs (cameras) installation is an important step in this direction and let us speed it up," the statement quoted Kejriwal as saying.

In the meeting, the chief minister also directed officials to send him a daily report on the progress of the ongoing works to install CCTV cameras at residential areas.

The feedback from across Delhi shows that residents are "satisfied" with the installation of CCTV cameras as it instills a "sense of security" and deters crime, the statement read.

On the issue of mohalla clinics , Kejriwal said the facility has provided much needed health relief to Delhi's residents and people want more such clinics.

The AAP government has set a target of setting up 1,000 mohalla clinics across the city.

"He (Kejriwal) reviewed the ongoing construction work of mohalla clinics and set specific deadlines when the new clinics would be fully functional," the statement said.

Health Minister Satyendar Jain and health department officers were present during the review.

The statement said the chief minister told the officers that mohalla clinics are being studied as "models" by several states and even by many countries.

"We must ensure that Delhi opens these clinics to its fullest potential so that these can be showcased to the world," the statement quoted Kejriwal as saying.