KARACHI: As part of the Safe City project, 157 out of the 300 planned pole sites have been successfully installed to enhance security through real-time monitoring of key locations across the city, with 20 poles now actively transmitting live footage to the Central Police Office (CPO).

This emerged on Tuesday in a detailed report presented to Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah by director general of the Sindh Safe Cities Authority (SSCA) Asif Ejaz Shaikh.

A press statement issued from the CM House said that as many as 100 cameras were actively monitored from the CPO control room and the SSCA headquarters.

The chief minister said that the work on the first phase of the Safe City project had been accelerated to enhance public safety and security, which was a top priority for his government.

More than 50pc of 300 pole sites and 100 cameras installed, project DG tells Murad

The report said that five emergency response vehicles (ERVs) had been equipped and were currently deployed, while the installation of command centre equipment was ongoing with a dedicated monitoring room established at the SSCA headquarters.

The CM was told that on his instructions, comprehensive security for IDEAS 2024 had been ensured by activating all poles in strategic locations. This includes areas such as Sharea Faisal, the vicinity of the Expo Centre, the surroundings of the airport, and the Civic Centre, all of which are now equipped with robust surveillance capabilities.

Mr Shah was told that the project was progressing rapidly, with significant milestones already achieved and key areas, including the Expo Centre and its surroundings, are now under improved surveillance.

The CM praised the progress and emphasised the importance of completing the project on scheduled time to enhance public safety and security in Karachi.

The Karachi Safe City project, aimed at making the metropolis one of the safest cities in the country, was launched earlier this year. Sources said that the project, worth over Rs3 billion, would be completed in two phases, with the first phase expected to be completed within 12 months.

They said that the project would reduce crime rate and help eliminate criminal elements.

The sources said that the second phase of the project will focus on expanding its scope to other cities in the province, after its successful implementation in the city.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2024