Chandigarh: The city, which has witnessed a spate of crimes, can expect safer days ahead. A major technology upgrade in policing is in the works, with a proposal to install more than 2,000 additional AI-enabled CCTV cameras in the city.The expansion is expected to nearly double the existing network of 2,130 cameras to around 4,200, significantly widening surveillance across the UT.The expanded network will cover the remaining 68 Automatic Traffic Control (ATC) locations and is proposed to include advanced features such as predictive analytics and automated identification of vehicles and individuals. The system is aimed at strengthening preventive policing, traffic management and police response.The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the UT Advisory Standing Committee on Law and Order at the police headquarters in Sector 9 on Wednesday. It was chaired by Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu. Chandigarh Traders Association president Kuldeep Kumar, former mayor Manmohan Singh, UT SSP Kanwardeep Kaur, and SPs and DSPs of five divisions attended the meeting.The committee reviewed the action taken report on recommendations made during its previous meeting and discussed measures to strengthen public safety through technology, data-driven policing, capacity building and social interventions.Welcoming the proposed surveillance expansion, Sandhu said Chandigarh had the potential to become a national model for smart and citizen-centric policing. He said the objective should not be limited to increasing the number of cameras, but should include the use of AI, predictive tools and real-time data to prevent crime and improve response times.The committee also reiterated its recommendation to establish a centre of excellence for policing and security practices in Chandigarh. Sandhu suggested exploring collaboration with Panjab University to combine police experience with academic expertise in AI-enabled policing, cyber crime, behavioural studies, forensic and legal research, traffic management and emerging security challenges.The SSP informed the committee that more than 600 people had been involved in criminal cases on more than three occasions, while a broader database contained details of over 8,000 people involved in one or more criminal cases.The committee suggested studying the social, educational and economic factors behind repeat offending to help develop targeted rehabilitation and skill-development interventions. It called for stronger cyber-response mechanisms to tackle online fraud and threatening emails. It was informed that an SOP had been prepared to deal with threats received by schools.The SSP said 553 cyber crime awareness sessions had been conducted since 2025.The meeting also covered women’s safety, protection of senior citizens, students and traders, inter-state crime coordination, drug enforcement, and rehabilitation of vulnerable juveniles and people engaged in begging. The committee stressed stronger coordination among Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula.Sandhu said Chandigarh should combine AI, technology, research, trained manpower and social interventions to create a safer city and a policing model that could set national standards.The meeting also covered women’s safety, protection of senior citizens, students and traders, inter-state crime coordination, drug enforcement and rehabilitation of vulnerable juveniles and people engaged in begging. The committee stressed stronger coordination among Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula.MP Sandhu said Chandigarh should combine AI, technology, research, trained manpower and social interventions to create a safer city and a policing model that could set national standards.
