The audacious Rs 7.11-crore ATM cash van robbery in Bengaluru has exposed a critical security vulnerability in the city’s surveillance network, prompting authorities to demand comprehensive CCTV coverage on all flyovers and underpasses across the Silicon Valley of India.
The meticulously planned heist deliberately targeted the Dairy Circle flyover precisely because it lacks surveillance cameras, forcing the Bengaluru City Police to rely on footage from distant locations before and after the crime scene. This investigative handicap significantly delayed the probe and highlighted the dangerous blind spots in what is otherwise considered one of India’s most surveilled cities.
In modern policing, CCTV footage and mobile phone location data have become the cornerstone of criminal investigations. These digital footprints provide irrefutable evidence that courts readily accept, making surveillance infrastructure crucial for effective law enforcement.
Despite Bengaluru’s impressive surveillance network – comprising 7,500 high-tech cameras under the safe city project, 9,000 traffic police cameras, and over five lakh geo-tagged private CCTV cameras linked to the Mobile Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (MCCTNS) – the recent heist has revealed critical gaps in coverage.
The Karnataka Public Safety (Measures) Enforcement Act, 2017, mandates that all commercial establishments install road-facing CCTV cameras connected to the MCCTNS portal. This extensive network had created a perception that virtually no criminal activity could escape detection on Bengaluru’s streets.
However, the ATM robbery starkly exposed the city’s Achilles’ heel: its 43 flyovers and 28 underpasses remain largely unmonitored. Even private establishment cameras typically focus on street-level activity rather than elevated or underground passages. With at least five more flyovers and underpasses under construction and 17 additional structures planned, addressing these blind spots has become urgent.
Following the heist, the Bengaluru City Police have formally written to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) requesting immediate installation of surveillance cameras at all flyovers and underpasses throughout the metropolitan area.
“We have identified all flyovers and underpasses that have turned out to be blind spots and written to the respective corporations to install cameras at these places. We are working closely with them to ensure that CCTV coverage improves,” stated City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh.
Strategic Camera Repositioning
Beyond new installations, police are also strategically repositioning existing cameras to monitor entry and exit points of flyovers and underpasses, ensuring better surveillance coverage of these previously unmonitored areas.
The benefits of comprehensive CCTV coverage extend far beyond preventing major robberies. These elevated and underground passages have become hotspots for various criminal activities, particularly during late-night hours when youngsters often congregate in emergency shoulder spaces on flyovers.
“On a few flyovers, there are shoulder spaces that can be used for stopping in emergency situations. However, many people, especially youngsters, stop at these points in the late night hours and there have been some instances of crimes and nuisance in such hours. Cameras will help keep a check on them,” explained a senior police officer.
Traffic violations, particularly dangerous stunts like wheeling, are rampant on flyovers. Currently, police can only apprehend violators through physical presence, but comprehensive camera coverage would enable remote monitoring and automated enforcement.
Joint Commissioner (Traffic) Kartik Reddy emphasizes the traffic management benefits: “Cameras will help analyze congestion levels and plan necessary alternatives. That apart, it will help us crack down on traffic violations.” The surveillance network would also prove invaluable during accident investigations, particularly hit-and-run cases where visual evidence is crucial.
Commissioner Singh highlighted the broader law enforcement advantages: “Footage from CCTV cameras is strong evidence for any case. Hence, cameras will help improve conviction rate.” This enhanced evidence collection capability directly translates to better prosecution outcomes and stronger deterrent effects.
The comprehensive surveillance upgrade represents more than just a reactive security measure. It signals Bengaluru’s commitment to leveraging technology for urban safety, ensuring that the city’s reputation as a tech hub extends to its security infrastructure.
As Bengaluru continues expanding its urban infrastructure, the lessons from this high-profile heist underscore the critical importance of integrating security considerations into every stage of development planning. The push for complete CCTV coverage on flyovers and underpasses marks a crucial step toward eliminating blind spots and creating a truly secure urban environment for the city’s residents and businesses.
