NDMC to switch to 'NextGen digital poles' equipped with CCTV cameras

NEW DELHI: Around 20,000 streetlight poles in areas under the jurisdiction of New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) will soon be replaced with 'NextGen digital poles' which will come fitted with CCTV cameras and also facilitate the civic body's plan to offer free 4G services.

The civic body, which claims that it would be the first-of-its-kind initiative in India, has invited Requests for Proposal (RFP) from companies for this project.

"Earlier, there was a plan for installing CCTV in all areas under NDMC... We were also working towards providing free wi-fi services in areas other than Khan Market and Connaught Place. And, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for conservation of energy by switching to LED bulbs, I came up with this idea," NDMC Chairman Jalaj Srivastava told PTI.

The NextGen poles, which have been designed by Srivastava himself, will be fitted with LED bulbs and have CCTV cameras installed in them, will also help provide free 4G wi-fi services.

"We also considered the option of retro-fitting the three upgrades into the existing poles, but that isn't technically feasible, so the poles will have to be replaced," he said.

Free wi-fi services are generally available only covering certain buildings, so once a person moves out, the connectivity drops. With entire areas becoming free wi-fi zone, the connectivity issues will be resolved, added Srivastava.