Soon, CCTV cameras in omnibuses

September 21, 2014 04:18 am | Updated 04:18 am IST - CHENNAI:

Police personnel warn commuters against pickpockets and touts at CMBT in Koyambedu. Photo: M. Vedhan

Police personnel warn commuters against pickpockets and touts at CMBT in Koyambedu. Photo: M. Vedhan

In a move to ensure the safety of goods and passengers, omnibuses will have CCTV cameras installed in the coming months.

Though such cameras are already in place in a few sophisticated buses, the Omni Bus Owners Association is planning to have them in other high-end buses too.

The cameras will help in tracking theft inside buses during long-distance travel.

There are over 900 buses plying from Chennai, carrying 40,000 passengers to various destinations.

Usually, the driver or cleaner of the bus gets pulled up whenever there is a theft in the vehicle. “If there is a CCTV camera, the culprit can be easily tracked,” said D. Maran, treasurer of the association.

Senior police officers agree that installing CCTV cameras is a good move.

A.D. Mohanraj, assistant commissioner of police, Koyambedu, who has been trying to curb crime and the work of touts inside the Chennai Moffusil Bus Terminus (CMBT), said incidents of theft are more during the marriage and festival seasons.

He said he has been trying to create awareness about chain snatching, bag lifters and bus ticket touts.

“I purchased a megaphone and police personnel are now using it to educate passengers about various criminals and their modus operandi. I am also in the process of printing pamphlets to create awareness,” he said.

The officer is also planning to fix a digital board at CMBT with omnibus ticket prices to various destinations.

“No passenger complains about touts who sell them tickets at a higher price. They just want to reach their destination,” he said.

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