Date:08/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/08/stories/2008090850200100.htm

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Surveillance cameras in eight more traffic junctions

Staff Reporter

Automatic Number Plate Readers to be installed too

Awareness created among road users that they are being watched, says Commissioner of Police
Automatic signal for Tiruvanaikoil–Gandhi Road junction to be fixed soon

TIRUCHI: The police will install surveillance cameras in eight more traffic junctions here under the Traffic Regulatory Management System (TRMS) to monitor and check violations of road rules.

Besides installing ‘Pan Tilt Zoom’ (PTZ) surveillance cameras at important junctions, the police will install advanced Automatic Number Plate Readers (ANPRs), a highly sophisticated camera to identify the registration number of vehicles, at various places.

The surveillance cameras, ANPRs and other related accessories will be procured from the Rs.2.99 crore fund sanctioned by the State Government to the city police for implementing the TRMS.

As a pilot project, the police have installed PTZ surveillance cameras at Head Post Office, Kohinoor Theatre, TVS Tollgate and Puthur Four Road Junction. The other junctions where the PTZ cameras are to be installed soon include Vestry School Circle, Viralimalai Road Junction, Mambazha Salai, Main Guard Gate Arch and Zonal Point.

The wireless cameras will be linked to the police control room, the offices of the Deputy Commissioners of Police and the Commissioner’s chamber where monitors will be installed.

The installation of cameras at the four junctions has created awareness among road users that they are being watched, the Commissioner of Police Pramod Kumar told the media here on Saturday.

The city police had sent a detailed proposal to the State Government seeking funds to the tune of Rs.86 lakh under the Road Safety Fund for installing automatic signals in 12 places within the city as well as for procuring face masks, solar blinker lights, retro reflective sign boards, traffic umbrellas and cordless mikes. An automatic signal would soon be installed at the Tiruvanaikoil–Gandhi Road junction.

The Commissioner said that the police had taken the assistance of the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchi, to conduct a detailed study regarding better traffic regulation in the city.

The Department of Civil Engineering of the NIT, which had already completed the traffic-related study in Srirangam and Fort Ranges, would complete the exercise in Golden Rock and Cantonment Ranges soon.

He said that drunken driving and overspeeding were the major reasons for accidents within the city limits adding that school children were being engaged to create awareness among the public of rule adherence and road safety.