With L&T´s surveillance network, Mumbai has come under the scanner 24/7

01 Dec 2016 CW Team

Speaking about the CCTVs planned for Mumbai, please share the current status on the project along with the challenges involved in executing the job.
Key to the system are the command and control centres (complete with disaster recovery) and viewing centres that are all networked with the two data centres located at strategic locations in active mode, physically separated by more than 30 km. This has resulted in creating network connectivity across multiple locations of strategic importance in the metropolis.

On October 2, 2016, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis formally launched the system across 1,500 locations. The project also comprised the establishment of India´s first mobile command control centre equipped with surveillance infrastructure, which was successfully deployed at the ´Global Citizen Meet´ and provided active support to the Mumbai Police.

Implementing a project of this scale and magnitude had its fair share of challenges, as it called for exclusive collaborations with multiple agencies involving over 40 stakeholders comprising state, central and private utilities in a meticulous and professional manner. As construction activity was in public areas, it was always a challenge to obtain the ideal locations (on busy roads and intersections) for the design intent, followed by permissions from various authorities to take up the construction work. Space is always a constraint in Mumbai and traffic is incessant. Hence, excavation and erection works were always difficult; these were carried out during the night hours adhering to stringent safety precautions. And there were completion deadlines that both, the Home Department of the state government and L&T, were committed to meet.

How has this CCTV network benefitted Mumbai?
It is already known as the city that never sleeps. With the establishment of L&T´s surveillance network, Mumbai has also become a city that is under the scanner 24/7. In the aftermath of the 26/11 terrorist attacks, there was a need to make Mumbai safer, and this surveillance network has gone a long way towards achieving that objective. As the city is now being ´watched´ 24/7, it is possible to monitor and detect developing situations to enable the Mumbai Police to effectively act before they escalate and get out of hand. The cameras pick up these incidents and transmit them to the command and control centre in the police HQ from where decisions can be taken instantly.

Mumbai Police is already reaping the benefits of the system, which include:
Monitoring and crowd control during all major events and festivities.
Traffic surveillance, detection and challenging errant traffic, and enforcing regulations.
Great improvement in port surveillance.

You have also inked the deal to make Nagpur the first large-scale smart city. Please tell us more.
The unit has been mandated by the Department of Information & Technology, Maharashtra Government, to execute the project to convert Nagpur into the country´s ´First Large-Scale Integrated Smart City´. The scope of work involves laying 1,200 km of optical fibre network backbone, creating 136 city Wi-Fi hotspots at key locations, establishing 100 digital interactive kiosks and developing city surveillance systems with 3,800 IP-based cameras integrated with the city operation centre. Further, as an avant-garde endeavour, the city has identified a strip of about 6 km (from Japanese Garden Square to Orange City Hospital Square) to be developed as a ´smart strip´ with smart ICT interventions and IoT solutions like smart lighting, smart transport, smart parking, smart bins, etc. The whole project is scheduled to go live in 12 months. We have already made a demonstration junction live at Shankar Nagar Square where free Wi-Fi is available along with a high-end surveillance solution and public address system.

How do you view such projects adding value to L&T´s Smart World business portfolio?
This is one of the fastest growing businesses within the L&T portfolio, and has been making significant progress across several major Indian cities by creating smart solutions. The Smart World & Communication business unit was formed exclusively to address the requirements of developing a safe, smart and digital India. This is in sync with the government´s mission to create 100 smart cities and digitally connect the whole country and make cities safe with integrated security solutions that ultimately result in enhancing the quality of life of citizens.

Beginning with the development of surveillance and intelligent traffic management systems for the Gujarat Government in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Vadodara, the business has since, executed the smart city project in Jaipur and the largest city surveillance project in Mumbai. Several other smart, safe and communication projects are underway across various states.

The unit offers end-to-end solutions comprising security solutions, communication networks and telecom infrastructure and smart infrastructure as a master systems integrator in collaboration with other businesses within the L&T Group - L&T Infotech, L&T Electrical & Automation IC and L&T Technology Services.

- R Srinivasan, Vice President & Head-Smart World & Communication BU, L&T Construction The Mumbai City Surveillance was a breakthrough project for the Smart World Communications business vertical of L&T Construction that involved the design, development, implementation and operation and maintenance of around 6,000 CCTV cameras, including Fixed Boxes, PTZ and ANPR cameras, at over 1,500 locations spread across 400 sq km in the city. Also, the business vertical recently inked the deal to make Nagpur the first large-scale smart city. R Srinivasan, Vice President & Head-Smart World & Communication BU, L&T Construction, shares more on the developments in both areas. Speaking about the CCTVs planned for Mumbai, please share the current status on the project along with the challenges involved in executing the job. Key to the system are the command and control centres (complete with disaster recovery) and viewing centres that are all networked with the two data centres located at strategic locations in active mode, physically separated by more than 30 km. This has resulted in creating network connectivity across multiple locations of strategic importance in the metropolis. On October 2, 2016, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis formally launched the system across 1,500 locations. The project also comprised the establishment of India´s first mobile command control centre equipped with surveillance infrastructure, which was successfully deployed at the ´Global Citizen Meet´ and provided active support to the Mumbai Police. Implementing a project of this scale and magnitude had its fair share of challenges, as it called for exclusive collaborations with multiple agencies involving over 40 stakeholders comprising state, central and private utilities in a meticulous and professional manner. As construction activity was in public areas, it was always a challenge to obtain the ideal locations (on busy roads and intersections) for the design intent, followed by permissions from various authorities to take up the construction work. Space is always a constraint in Mumbai and traffic is incessant. Hence, excavation and erection works were always difficult; these were carried out during the night hours adhering to stringent safety precautions. And there were completion deadlines that both, the Home Department of the state government and L&T, were committed to meet. How has this CCTV network benefitted Mumbai? It is already known as the city that never sleeps. With the establishment of L&T´s surveillance network, Mumbai has also become a city that is under the scanner 24/7. In the aftermath of the 26/11 terrorist attacks, there was a need to make Mumbai safer, and this surveillance network has gone a long way towards achieving that objective. As the city is now being ´watched´ 24/7, it is possible to monitor and detect developing situations to enable the Mumbai Police to effectively act before they escalate and get out of hand. The cameras pick up these incidents and transmit them to the command and control centre in the police HQ from where decisions can be taken instantly. Mumbai Police is already reaping the benefits of the system, which include: Monitoring and crowd control during all major events and festivities. Traffic surveillance, detection and challenging errant traffic, and enforcing regulations. Great improvement in port surveillance. You have also inked the deal to make Nagpur the first large-scale smart city. Please tell us more. The unit has been mandated by the Department of Information & Technology, Maharashtra Government, to execute the project to convert Nagpur into the country´s ´First Large-Scale Integrated Smart City´. The scope of work involves laying 1,200 km of optical fibre network backbone, creating 136 city Wi-Fi hotspots at key locations, establishing 100 digital interactive kiosks and developing city surveillance systems with 3,800 IP-based cameras integrated with the city operation centre. Further, as an avant-garde endeavour, the city has identified a strip of about 6 km (from Japanese Garden Square to Orange City Hospital Square) to be developed as a ´smart strip´ with smart ICT interventions and IoT solutions like smart lighting, smart transport, smart parking, smart bins, etc. The whole project is scheduled to go live in 12 months. We have already made a demonstration junction live at Shankar Nagar Square where free Wi-Fi is available along with a high-end surveillance solution and public address system. How do you view such projects adding value to L&T´s Smart World business portfolio? This is one of the fastest growing businesses within the L&T portfolio, and has been making significant progress across several major Indian cities by creating smart solutions. The Smart World & Communication business unit was formed exclusively to address the requirements of developing a safe, smart and digital India. This is in sync with the government´s mission to create 100 smart cities and digitally connect the whole country and make cities safe with integrated security solutions that ultimately result in enhancing the quality of life of citizens. Beginning with the development of surveillance and intelligent traffic management systems for the Gujarat Government in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Vadodara, the business has since, executed the smart city project in Jaipur and the largest city surveillance project in Mumbai. Several other smart, safe and communication projects are underway across various states. The unit offers end-to-end solutions comprising security solutions, communication networks and telecom infrastructure and smart infrastructure as a master systems integrator in collaboration with other businesses within the L&T Group - L&T Infotech, L&T Electrical & Automation IC and L&T Technology Services.