The Delhi government’s Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has approved an over ₹500-crore project for the installation of 1.46 lakh cameras in government schools, Public Works Department Minister Satyendar Jain said on Wednesday.
Speaking at a media briefing, Mr. Jain said the EFC, which is chaired by Finance Minister Manish Sisodia, had on Tuesday approved the ₹597.51-crore project to install 1,46,800 cameras in 1,028 Delhi government schools.
The EFC’s approval comes at a time that the Delhi government’s other CCTV project to install 1.4 lakh cameras across the city has led to controversy, with Lieutenant-Governor Anil Baijal setting up a committee to formulate guidelines for installation of cameras. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has termed this move an attempt to stall the project. The committee is expected to give its report by June 9.
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Seven firms bid
However, the project to install cameras in all classrooms and public spaces, apart from washrooms, of Delhi government schools would be presented before the Cabinet soon, Mr. Jain said. He said the tenders for the project had been floated and around seven companies had bid for it. The work would be awarded after approval from the Cabinet.
Of the total project cost, Mr. Jain said ₹384.85 crore would be for the execution, ₹57.69 crore for maintenance and ₹154.97 crore for internet costs for five years. The cameras feed would be stored locally for 30 days and the school principal’s office would have an LED screen to view it, apart from real-time online access to parents through a mobile app.
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“We are hoping to finish the project in six months, but if the committee stalls, then it can be six years,” said Mr. Jain, referring to the committee set up by the L-G.
Other works
In addition, the EFC approved a ₹303.31-crore project for the construction of a six-lane two-way flyover at Shastri Park junction, a two-lane one-way flyover at Seelampur Chowk and the widening of Seelampur Chowk and an existing underpass.
The construction of two half underpasses, which will have parts under and above ground, and one subway on the Outer Ring Road between Gopalpur red light and Jagatpur Bridge at a cost of ₹38.17 crore was also cleared by the EFC. Another project cleared by the EFC was the construction of two bus depots for a total of 300 cluster buses in Rohini Sector-37 at a cost of ₹43.76 crore.