SHILLONG: In a major push to strengthen public safety and curb crime, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma had announced that Meghalaya’s high-tech CCTV surveillance project has achieved nearly 70 per cent completion in its first phase, bringing Shillong closer to round-the-clock digital monitoring.
The Chief Minister said that 227 CCTV cameras have already been installed and integrated at key locations across the city. He formally inaugurated the newly operational systems at Mawlai Mawroh and adjoining areas, marking a significant step towards modern, technology-driven policing.
With the first phase nearing completion, the government is set to roll out Phase Two, which will see the installation of an additional 200 to 300 CCTV cameras. The surveillance network is also being expanded beyond the capital to cover Tura and Jowai, ensuring enhanced security across Meghalaya’s major urban centres.
Sangma stated that the primary objective of the project is to deter criminal activity, combat the growing drug menace, and ensure public peace through real-time monitoring and faster response mechanisms.
Highlighting community involvement, the Chief Minister said the government is working closely with Dorbar shnong and local stakeholders to identify strategic locations for camera installation, ensuring maximum effectiveness at the grassroots level.
Emphasising the government’s commitment to public safety, Sangma said security cannot be measured solely in financial terms. “Safety and peace are priceless, and we must remain vigilant against rising crime in modern times,” he said.
To complement the surveillance initiative, the government has also linked the CCTV rollout with a statewide streetlighting programme. While acknowledging constraints in budget and manpower, the Chief Minister assured that all localities and villages will be systematically covered in subsequent phases.
