Thiruvananthapuram’s Smart Cameras Back Online After Repairs

The city of Thiruvananthapuram has restored its smart surveillance system, bringing back full police monitoring capabilities after extensive repairs. Smart City Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (SCTL), the agency responsible for the initiative, confirmed that all high-definition cameras have been restored to functionality following a year-long period during which nearly half of these units were non-operational. This gap in surveillance significantly hindered the police’s ability to monitor traffic violations and criminal activities.

The repairs addressed a critical issue first reported in September 2024, when police officials alerted the Smart City CEO that many cameras were offline, severely affecting the city’s monitoring capabilities. According to a comprehensive 250-page report submitted to Thiruvananthapuram‘s police commissioner, Thomson Jose, all faulty cameras have been repaired, tested, and certified by experts from Govt Barton Hill Engineering College and LBS Engineering College.

Inspection and Operational Control Transition

Commissioner Jose has scheduled a meeting this week to inspect the network prior to the police resuming operational control. “We are verifying the report. An inspection is being carried out by the police before taking over operations,” he stated. With the repairs now certified, the police are preparing to reintegrate the surveillance system into their daily operations.

The integrated network is designed to monitor various aspects of urban life, including traffic flow, waste management, public safety, and environmental violations. The system employs AI-powered cameras that automatically detect offenses such as red-light violations, illegal parking, and roadside dumping. However, the extended downtime of many cameras rendered the system ineffective, leading to a noticeable increase in unmonitored violations.

A subsequent police audit confirmed that approximately 50% of the city’s surveillance units had been non-functional. The lack of operational cameras resulted in a significant decrease in automatic alerts and enforcement actions, prompting residents and civic officials to report a rise in illegal parking and waste dumping.

Successful Repairs and Future Monitoring

According to a senior official from SCTL, the rectification process took six months and involved collaboration with external engineering experts. “All faulty cameras were repaired and verified by college professors and technical experts. They are now fully functional and ready for police operation,” the official explained.

The surveillance network is a vital component of the city’s Smart City architecture, providing live video feeds to the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) and the Traffic & Safety Command Centre (TSCCC). With the repairs complete and verification obtained, Thiruvananthapuram is set to benefit from enhanced enforcement capabilities, improved real-time responsiveness, and a reduction in unmonitored violations.