Kolkata Police to install 59 CCTV cameras at Lalbazar lock-up for ₹35 lakh
Synopsis
Kolkata Police is spending ₹35 lakh to install 59 infrared CCTV cameras — with audio recording — inside the Lalbazar Central Lock-up, targeting a long-standing blind spot: nighttime detainee monitoring. It is a quiet but telling signal that India's urban police forces are under growing pressure to make custody conditions more transparent and accountable.
Key Takeaways
Kolkata Police plans to install 59 CCTV cameras at the Central Lock-up, Lalbazar at an estimated cost of ₹35 lakh .
The system includes 54 dome cameras (range: 50 metres ) and 5 bullet cameras (range: 60 metres ).
All cameras will feature infrared technology for night-vision recording and audio-recording capability .
Approximately ₹8 lakh is allocated for camera procurement; the rest covers monitors, cabling, and infrastructure.
The upgrade targets improved monitoring during night hours and detection of altercations, escape attempts, or unlawful activity.
Kolkata Police is set to install 59 advanced CCTV cameras at the Central Lock-up in Lalbazar, the city's police headquarters, at an estimated cost of ₹35 lakh, officials said on Monday, 3 August. The surveillance overhaul is aimed at strengthening round-the-clock monitoring of detainees, particularly during night hours when visibility inside the facility drops significantly.
Camera Breakdown and Coverage
The upgraded system will comprise 54 dome cameras and 5 bullet cameras, strategically positioned inside lock-up rooms and along corridors to ensure comprehensive coverage. According to a senior police officer, dome cameras will offer a range of up to 50 metres, while bullet cameras will extend coverage to 60 metres.
Crucially, all cameras will be equipped with infrared technology, enabling clear recording even in complete darkness — producing black-and-white footage when lighting conditions are minimal. Each unit will also carry audio-recording capability, allowing conversations and ambient sounds within range to be captured in real time.
Budget Allocation and Infrastructure
Of the total ₹35 lakh outlay, approximately ₹8 lakh has been earmarked specifically for procuring the cameras. The remaining funds will cover monitors, cabling, and associated infrastructure required to operationalise the system. Police teams have already conducted site inspections and mapped optimal camera placement positions across the facility.
Why the Upgrade Was Deemed Necessary
The Central Lock-up at Lalbazar houses arrested persons brought in by multiple police units, including the Intelligence Department and the Enforcement Branch. While the facility already has CCTV coverage in common areas, officials noted that close observation of detainees — especially at night — had remained a gap in the existing setup.
The enhanced system is designed to detect incidents such as altercations between detainees, escape attempts, or other unlawful activities inside the lock-up. Real-time monitoring by police personnel will be possible around the clock, including during the most vulnerable night hours.
What This Signals
The move reflects a broader push within urban police forces across India to modernise detention facility infrastructure, driven in part by accountability concerns following high-profile incidents in custody across various states. Notably, the Kolkata upgrade comes at a time when scrutiny of lock-up conditions and detainee welfare has intensified nationally. The installation timeline has not yet been officially announced.
Point of View
Infrared cameras inside lock-up rooms, not just corridors, is a material shift from passive surveillance to active monitoring. What the announcement does not address is who reviews the footage, under what protocol, and whether detainees or their legal representatives will ever have access to it. Across India, CCTV in lock-ups has been mandated by the Supreme Court, yet enforcement has been patchy. Kolkata's move is welcome, but the accountability framework around the footage matters as much as the cameras themselves.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kolkata Police upgrading CCTV cameras at the Lalbazar Central Lock-up?
Kolkata Police is upgrading surveillance because nighttime monitoring of detainees has been identified as a gap in the existing setup. The new cameras — equipped with infrared and audio-recording technology — will enable round-the-clock observation inside lock-up rooms and corridors.
How many cameras will be installed and what types?
A total of 59 cameras will be installed — 54 dome cameras with a 50-metre range and 5 bullet cameras with a 60-metre range. All units will have infrared capability for night-vision recording and audio-recording features.
What is the total cost of the CCTV upgrade at Lalbazar?
The estimated total cost is ₹35 lakh. Of this, around ₹8 lakh is earmarked for camera procurement, with the remainder allocated to monitors, cabling, and supporting infrastructure.
Who is housed at the Lalbazar Central Lock-up?
The Central Lock-up at Lalbazar houses arrested persons brought in by various Kolkata Police units, including the Intelligence Department and the Enforcement Branch. It operates under continuous police watch.
What incidents will the new system help detect?
According to officials, the enhanced surveillance system is designed to detect altercations between detainees, escape attempts, and other unlawful activities inside the lock-up. Real-time monitoring will be possible at all hours, including overnight.
