Thieves eye CCTV batteries, 1,500 units stolen in two years in Pimpri-Chinchwad
Pimpri: CCTVs installed for the security of the city by spending crores of rupees have been targeted for their batteries by thieves. Such an incident was reported in Nigdi on Saturday (December 21).
Over 1,500 batteries were stolen in the past two years. This indicated that the civic administration, along with the police, have failed to curb such thefts.
It was revealed that CCTV batteries were stolen from fast-developing areas such as Pimple Saudagar, old Sangvi, Pimple Gurav, Moshi, Pradhikaran and Pimpri Chowk over the past one year. Significantly, half of the CCTVs installed by the contractor for the Smart City are still in the working condition. Their batteries have also been stolen, which has put many hurdles in the investigation of these thefts.
A big challenge
The police were finding it tough to trace routes taken by culprits in various offences. Reasons were forwarded such as malfunctioning CCTVs, inability of cameras to capture a scene and a lack of documentary evidence. A battery is installed in a chowk for around 10 CCTV cameras, which helps in tracking culprits. However, thieves have now started stealing these batteries and have posed a big challenge before the police.
Cameras not working…
CCTVs have been installed by spending crores of rupees under the Smart City project. However, batteries of these CCTVs were stolen between November 2022 and December 2024 from many places. When police or contract workers check these CCTV cameras after an incident or for a particular work, they find the cameras not working as their batteries are stolen.
Is the control room not aware…
The CCTVs in the city have been connected to the local office of the Tax Collection Department, which, in turn, are connected to the command control room in Nigdi. A PSI and three police personnel are deployed at the control room 24X7. The Traffic Police also act against traffic violators by examining the feed from these cameras. However, it is puzzling that they are unable to detect the CCTV batteries being stolen.
Officials are unaware
Every second or third day, CCTV batteries are being stolen in the twin towns. However, Smart City Director Kiranraj Yadav feigned ignorance about the thefts.
Number of CCTVs / Expenditure / Number of places
PCMC (Phase I): 2,490 / Rs 147 crore / 460
PCSCL: 3,000 / Rs 250 crore / 1,000
PCMC (Phase II) 2,490 / Rs 147 crore / 460
