Crowd-funded surveillance camera project focuses on reducing crime, theft in Tiruchi’s Big Bazaar Street

Protecting the cameras and cables from getting damaged by the constant vehicular traffic is a major challenge for the owners of business establishments on Big Bazaar Street in Tiruchi. | Photo Credit: R. VENGADESH A project to check crime and theft by installing 200 surveillance cameras worth ₹40 lakh is under way at Tiruchi’s busy Big Bazaar Street, located between Gandhi Market and the Rock Fort Hill, funded by residents and local business owners.The close-knit neighbourhood is part of Ward 20 and hosts around 50 residential and commercial streets.. Ward councillor LIC K. Sankar has been leading the initiative since 2022.“We have raised cash through local contributors in tranches of ₹22 lakh and ₹18 lakh. We tapped into the funds under the Namakku Naame scheme from the previous government. These streets are densely populated and it is difficult to maintain security without surveillance cameras,” Mr. Sankar told The Hindu on Monday. He added that around 20% of the camera installation is still in progress.At present, the footage from cameras is saved in seven network video recorders across the ward. “The footage is available for up to 10 days, after which it is erased automatically,” said Mr. Sankar. Residents bear the cost of electricity for the storage facilities. The monthly maintenance expense of ₹5,000 is shared out as well.Protecting the cameras from getting damaged by the constant vehicular traffic in the locality is a major challenge.“Sometimes wires are snapped by delivery trucks passing by. There are designated persons within each stretch to take care of the camera repairs. We want Tiruchi to take the lead in local security surveillance, and hope to inspire other cities to do the same,” the councillor said. Published - August 10, 2026 08:26 pm IST