CHENNAI: The integrated command and control centre that was to be Greater Chennai Corporation’s war room, integrating the various services using state-of the art technology to provide immediate solutions, has remained a non-starter.
The Rs 150 crore project looked great on paper but despite several meetings between corporation officials and the consultant, there is little to show. A 100 surveillance cameras at key locations to monitor solid waste management including garbage clearance, about 30 rain gauges sending data on rainfall levels, 55 flood sensors at river mouths, 50 smart poles for women’s safety, 100 variable messaging boards, Wi-Fi through smart sensors, a data centre, and police CCTV cameras are all that have been implemented.
The crucial automatic alert system where cases of sexual harassment or those about floods should reach the authorities concerned at the press of a button is missing. So is the one about data interpretation. “We are getting the data but are unable to use it. We are asking the consultant to set up the automatic alert system and make standard operating procedures for different crises,” said a senior corporation official. Another official said they were trying to interpret more data such as on revenue collection and court case details.
The main objective, as per the corporation document, is to use information provided by various departments and provide a comprehensive response mechanism for day-to-day challenges using video footage and other controlling mechanisms. It was to be a fully automated environment.
The data was to be made available to the public, but despite pollution and environment sensors, it hasn’t been done.
Citizen grievances and disaster management systems were a major part of the project. Information with respect to sea tide changes and wind speed were to be collected and emergency alerts after analysis by experts made on various platforms to warn the public. “There was a minor quake off the city a few weeks ago and many feared heavy rainfall and flooding. But, none of the fears could be dispelled through adequate warnings,” said an official.
Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi said they were reviewing the project regularly and were trying to maximize the data use and improve on the existing infrastructure. “It was very useful during the Covid-19 crisis and it needs some improvements in the way the data is handled as the infrastructure is all set up,” he said.
