CHANDIGARH: Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday announced that Chandigarh would get 2,152 additional AI-enabled surveillance cameras to strengthen the city’s security network.He also expressed confidence that Chandigarh Police would become the first police force in the country to achieve a drug-free status.Addressing police personnel at Chandigarh Police Lines in Sector 26 on the occasion of the force’s 60th Raising Day and the President’s Police Colour ceremony, Shah said the city had demonstrated how effective implementation of the three new criminal laws could speed up the criminal justice process and improve conviction rates.Chandigarh already has around 2,130 CCTV cameras installed across the city. The additional cameras, being provided by the Centre, would expand surveillance coverage and help police monitor suspicious activities and prevent crime, he said.Highlighting the force’s performance under the new criminal laws, Shah said 8,206 FIRs had been registered in Chandigarh since August 4, 2024. Online chargesheets had been filed in 7,590 cases, accounting for nearly 92.5% of the total.He said Chandigarh Police had recorded an overall conviction rate of around 85%, with the average time taken to secure convictions being 140 days. In cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the conviction rate had reached 93%, he added.Shah said the figures showed how effective implementation of the new criminal laws could bring changes to the country’s criminal justice system.He also praised Chandigarh Police’s campaign against drug trafficking and gangsters and expressed confidence that the city would lead the national drive against narcotics.The home minister highlighted the force’s emergency response capabilities, saying its average response time was four minutes, while quick response teams (QRTs) could reach a spot in around 10 minutes.He said the combination of technology, improved investigation and faster response would further strengthen public safety in the city.Shah also said 154 new vehicles had been added to the Chandigarh Police fleet in 2026 to improve patrolling, mobility and emergency response. Another 141 vehicles were announced for induction into the fleet.Congratulating the force on receiving the President’s Police Colour, Shah said the honour recognised six decades of discipline, dedication and service since Chandigarh Police was established in 1966.He urged police personnel to prioritise the fight against drugs and protect the younger generation from addiction, saying a drug-free Chandigarh would contribute to the larger goal of a developed India.
