Gujarat Police drives CCTV expansion, asks citizens to plug surveillance gaps
Synopsis
Gujarat's top cop is scaling Ahmedabad's 24,000-camera CCTV success story to the entire state — asking citizens, traders, and housing societies to voluntarily fill the surveillance blind spots that police alone cannot cover. With over 3.88 lakh private cameras already in place but critical public spaces still dark, the drive targets exactly where crime slips through.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat Police launched a statewide CCTV expansion initiative on 25 September 2026 from Gandhinagar .
DGP Gyanendra Singh Malik has directed all city commissioners and district SPs to hold public-participation meetings.
The model is based on Ahmedabad's drive, which added over 24,000 cameras between 2024 and 2026 through voluntary citizen support.
Gujarat currently has more than 3.88 lakh privately-owned CCTV cameras , but public roads, parking areas and society entry points remain under-covered.
Recommended cameras must have night vision , at least 4 megapixel resolution, and adequate storage capacity.
The Inspector General of Police, Law and Order , has been appointed nodal officer for statewide implementation.
Gujarat Police has launched a statewide initiative to expand its CCTV surveillance network by enlisting citizens, residential societies, traders, and commercial establishments, with senior officials directed to replicate Ahmedabad's successful public-participation model across Gujarat. The drive was announced on 25 September 2026 from Gandhinagar.
What the Initiative Entails
Director General of Police (DGP) Gyanendra Singh Malik has instructed all city police commissioners and district superintendents of police to convene meetings with citizens, residential societies, and traders' associations. The objective is to encourage voluntary installation of CCTV cameras at locations that strengthen surveillance of public spaces.
Under the initiative, residents and commercial premises owners have been advised to ensure that their cameras cover adjoining main roads, parking areas, and key points of movement — not just their own premises. Police have further recommended cameras equipped with night vision, a resolution of 4 megapixels or higher, and sufficient video storage capacity to support nighttime monitoring and crime detection.
The Ahmedabad Blueprint
The initiative draws directly from a model piloted in Ahmedabad, where more than 24,000 CCTV cameras were installed between 2024 and 2026 through voluntary support from citizens, trader organisations, and civic associations — during Malik's own tenure as Ahmedabad Police Commissioner. Police said that network proved effective in both the prevention and detection of crime, strengthening the city's overall security infrastructure.
Where the Gaps Are
Gujarat currently has more than 3.88 lakh privately-owned CCTV cameras in operation. However, police noted that comparatively fewer cameras cover public roads, parking areas, and the entry and exit points of residential societies — leaving identifiable blind spots in the surveillance grid. The current drive specifically targets these gaps.
Coordination and Implementation
The Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, has been designated as the nodal officer to coordinate the public awareness campaign across the state. The police leadership has framed the expansion with the message: 'The wider the network, the greater the security.' Citizens have been appealed to voluntarily secure their premises and contribute to what authorities are calling a 'Safe Gujarat' vision.
With the nodal officer now in place and district-level meetings expected to follow, the state's surveillance footprint is set to grow significantly in the months ahead.
Point of View
000 cameras in two years is a credible data point — but replicating it statewide raises questions about data ownership, privacy safeguards, and whether voluntary compliance will be uniform across less-affluent districts and smaller towns. The initiative also quietly acknowledges a resource constraint: with 3.88 lakh private cameras already deployed but public spaces still under-covered, the state is effectively admitting it cannot fund adequate coverage on its own. How Gujarat balances surveillance effectiveness with civil liberties protections will be the harder story to watch.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gujarat Police's new CCTV initiative?
Gujarat Police has launched a statewide drive to expand its CCTV surveillance network by encouraging citizens, residential societies, traders, and commercial establishments to voluntarily install cameras at public-facing locations. The initiative was announced on 25 September 2026 and is modelled on a successful programme run in Ahmedabad.
How many CCTV cameras does Gujarat currently have?
Gujarat has more than 3.88 lakh privately-owned CCTV cameras in operation. However, police have identified gaps in coverage of public roads, parking areas, and the entry and exit points of residential societies, which this initiative aims to address.
What is the Ahmedabad model that Gujarat Police wants to replicate?
The Ahmedabad model refers to the voluntary installation of over 24,000 CCTV cameras across the city between 2024 and 2026, driven by citizen, trader, and civic association participation during DGP Gyanendra Singh Malik's tenure as Ahmedabad Police Commissioner. Police credit it with improving both crime prevention and detection in the city.
What specifications are recommended for the new cameras?
Gujarat Police has advised that newly installed cameras should include night vision capability, a resolution of 4 megapixels or higher, and sufficient video storage capacity to support effective surveillance and assist in crime detection.
Who is overseeing the implementation of this initiative?
The Inspector General of Police, Law and Order, has been appointed as the nodal officer to coordinate the public awareness campaign and implementation of the CCTV expansion drive across Gujarat.
