Over 7,500 CCTV cameras found non-functional in Delhi safety audit

A Public Works Department audit has found more than 7,500 CCTV cameras offline across Delhi, prompting the government to prioritise maintenance and plan the installation of 50,000 additional cameras to strengthen citywide surveillance coverage.

More than 7,500 CCTV cameras installed across Delhi were found to be non-functional during a safety audit carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) last year, highlighting gaps in the capital’s extensive surveillance network.

In a report tabled in the Delhi Assembly, the government said that 7,535 cameras were offline at the time of inspection. The cameras form part of a broader surveillance initiative launched in 2020, under which nearly 2.8 lakh CCTV units have been installed across the city by the government, resident welfare associations and market bodies.

Reasons behind camera failures

According to the PWD, multiple factors contributed to the cameras going offline, including power outages, technical faults, theft or vandalism, and the dismantling or relocation of devices. A department official said that technical issues often arise due to problems with network service providers, which prevent live feeds from being transmitted to the Central Command Centre (CCC).

External factors such as electricity disruptions and theft of camera components have also affected uptime. Officials said corrective measures are being planned, including addressing network reliability issues in upcoming tenders to reduce downtime.

Maintenance push and expansion plans

The Delhi government has reiterated its commitment to expanding surveillance coverage while improving maintenance standards. It plans to install 50,000 additional CCTV cameras across the city, primarily in public areas such as markets, roads, residential colonies and commercial hubs. All cameras are linked to the CCC located at the PWD headquarters.

To streamline upkeep, the PWD has handed over maintenance responsibilities to Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a defence public sector undertaking. Senior officials said a consolidated tender is being planned to ensure more efficient maintenance, replacing the current arrangement of multiple service providers. The number of non-functional cameras is monitored in real time and can change daily.

During an Assembly session in February 2025, PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma said the government intends to significantly expand CCTV coverage. Earlier plans envisaged installing around 4,000 cameras in each assembly constituency, with the overall project estimated to cost ₹100 crore, covering both installation and maintenance.

The latest audit findings are expected to inform future procurement and maintenance strategies aimed at improving reliability across Delhi’s surveillance infrastructure.