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Nagpur's Non-Functional Traffic Cameras

Non-Functional Security Cameras in Nagpur
Non-Functional Traffic Security Cameras in Nagpur

In the age of rapid urbanisation, cities worldwide are turning to technology to keep pace with growing populations and evolving challenges.


Nagpur is no exception. As a city poised for smart transformation, Nagpur promised its citizens a state-of-the-art traffic management system.


Yet, beneath the buzz of its crowded streets lies a pressing issue, the silent failure of its once-celebrated traffic cameras.


Nagpur’s journey toward a modernised traffic system began with ambitious plans. In the early 2010s, the city installed over 3,500 CCTV cameras under the Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDC).


These cameras, strategically positioned across major junctions and busy streets, were intended to monitor traffic, prevent crime, and ensure smooth city operations.


The project symbolised progress, reflecting the aspirations of a growing metropolis. The cameras, integrated into the city's Intelligent and Integrated Traffic Management System (IITMS), were not just tools for enforcement; they were symbols of safety and governance in an era of urban sprawl.


Non-Functional Traffic Cameras

Traffic Cameras
Traffic Cameras

Nagpur’s surveillance network once envisioned as a cornerstone of its smart city initiatives, now suffers from a substantial number of non-functional cameras.


As of 2024, approximately 1,500 of the city’s 3,500 installed CCTV cameras have been reported to be inactive, significantly compromising traffic management and public safety efforts.


This issue has left critical areas such as Sitabuldi Square, Ajni Square, and the Medical College Junction without adequate monitoring, leading to unregulated traffic congestion and a rise in traffic violations.


In East Nagpur, neighbourhoods like Pardi and Kalamna have experienced prolonged periods without functional cameras.


Reports highlight the detrimental impact on policing and public safety in these regions. A notable incident occurred in Pardi in 2023 when an assault case involving an eight-year-old girl was hampered by the absence of operational cameras.


Investigators faced significant delays as they were unable to retrieve vital footage from defunct cameras near Pardi Market.

Another critical area affected is Central Avenue, a major commercial hub, where inactive cameras have resulted in unchecked illegal parking and congestion during peak hours.


In areas like Wardha Road, a vital route connecting the city centre to industrial zones and the airport, cameras have remained out of service for months, further complicating traffic management on one of the busiest stretches in Nagpur.


The failure of these cameras is often linked to ongoing infrastructure projects, including Metro rail construction and road expansion initiatives.


Damage to fibre-optic cables during these works has disrupted connectivity in key areas such as Hingna Industrial Estate and Manish Nagar.


Heavy rains during the monsoon season in 2023 exacerbated the situation, causing waterlogging and additional damage to camera systems on Chhindwara Road and Koradi Road.


Efforts to address these challenges have been slow. Despite a monthly maintenance expenditure of ₹1.69 crore allocated to private contractors, many cameras remain inoperative for extended periods.


Authorities have cited a lack of coordination between contractors and the Nagpur Smart and Sustainable City Development Corporation Limited (NSSCDC) as a significant roadblock to timely repairs.


Adding to the financial strain are recovery claims made by the NSSCDC to cover damages caused by construction activities.


In 2024, the corporation sought ₹7 crore from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the state Public Works Department (PWD) to address these damages.

The bureaucratic tussles over such claims further delay the restoration of critical infrastructure.


In response, the Nagpur Police have proposed installing 1,100 new cameras to address gaps in surveillance, particularly in vulnerable areas identified during security reviews. While this initiative aims to bolster the city’s monitoring capabilities, it has raised concerns about whether lessons from past failures will be incorporated into the new infrastructure’s planning and maintenance.


The consequences of these inactive cameras are far-reaching. Junctions like Ambazari T-Point, which connects major educational institutions, and areas such as Sadar have seen an increase in traffic violations and theft due to insufficient surveillance.


Police officers often resort to manual monitoring, which is both time-consuming and less effective than automated systems.



Nagpur’s surveillance challenges underscore the critical need for robust maintenance protocols, efficient coordination among stakeholders, and a renewed focus on ensuring the functionality of existing infrastructure.


Without these measures, the promise of a smart city remains unfulfilled, and the safety and efficiency of its urban spaces continue to hang in the balance.


Security Camera Nagpur
Security Camera Nagpur

Nagpur’s inactive traffic cameras stand as silent witnesses to the complexities of urban development, where ambitious plans often collide with the realities of execution.


The gaps in surveillance expose more than just a technical failure; they reveal the delicate balance required to manage a growing city’s infrastructure while addressing its everyday challenges.

These cameras, meant to enhance safety and order, have become symbols of unfulfilled potential, highlighting the fragility of systems that depend on consistent maintenance and accountability.

The absence of functional surveillance impacts more than the flow of vehicles or the response to crimes, it shapes the way people experience their city. It raises questions about trust in public systems, the role of technology in governance, and the responsibility of those tasked with ensuring its success.


In the shadow of these inactive cameras, life goes on, but with a sense of vulnerability that no thriving urban centre can afford.



This is not just about Nagpur, it is a reflection of the growing pains many cities experience in their journey towards modernity.


The silent streets, unmonitored intersections, and missed opportunities captured in the story of these defunct cameras remind us that progress, without vigilance, can often leave us looking in the wrong direction.


In this case, it is not the presence of these cameras but their absence that tells a powerful story about the priorities and challenges of building a city equipped for the future.



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