India Safe City

Surveys show that more than half the world population now lives in urban areas. A safe city programme is now essential for secure living and prosperity. Terror attacks, crime, violence, and fear in crowded and prominent tourist destinations and prime locations of cities pose significant challenges. Good governance must apply directly to any urban safety strategy. Such a strategy reduces and prevents terror threats, illegal entry, crime and insecurity.

The United Nations set out this approach in its Habitat Agenda on Human Settlements, adopted at the Habitat II conference in Istanbul in 1996. It began a series of strategies to reduce violence and crime in cities. The UN-Habitat Safer Cities Programme has two aims. It strengthens personal safety and reduces fear. It does this through better safety services and clear accountability to the community. The Safer Cities Programme has the following building blocks:

BUILDING URBAN SAFETY THROUGH REDUCTION OF VULNERABILITY:

1. The UN Safe City Programme defines vulnerability in two ways. The first is the chance that a person, household or community falls below a minimum level of welfare. An example is the poverty line. The second is the chance of physical or socio-economic harm, such as homelessness or injury. Both follow risky events such as forced eviction, crime or flood. Close attention to urban vulnerability and violence reduces crime. It also helps secure a safe city environment…
2. Sustainable urbanisation depends on inclusive and participatory urban planning. Local development practice incorporates policy-making and strategy development. This, in turn, promotes institutional and organisational development, resource planning and management to enhance efficiency in governance. The Government of India also adopted the policy Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas. It means growth for all, with participation by all.
3. Enhancing urban safety and social cohesion are issues of good urban governance. The aim is a safe and secure city. Safety improves for citizens and neighbourhoods. People and groups meet without fear, whatever their caste, creed, religion, race or faith. These steps meet the constitutional requirement of a secular country. They are also the first steps towards good governance. They create a supportive environment for city residents. Quality of life improves, and economic growth follows for people, organisations and the country.

Citizens

Most importantly, a city’s citizens are the source of its energy.

MODERNIZATION OF STATE POLICE FORCES (MPF)

The MHA is helping the state governments to plan and carry out the modernisation of their state police forces. The programme funds the purchase of current equipment. This includes AI surveillance cameras, TETRA radio sets for communication and forensic laboratories. It also covers weaponry, vehicles, computers and training infrastructure. Under the MPF scheme, all north-eastern states can receive 100% central assistance. This applies to their approved annual plan for modernising the state police force. Awards depend on need, demand and approval by the competent authorities.

Elements of Safe City (Integrated city surveillance)

India is the largest democracy in the world, and its cities reflect its diversity. They hold rich cultural values and a wide social and economic mix. The goal is an integrated surveillance system which makes cities safe and provides a secure environment for development and growth. Cities also hold schools, colleges and other educational institutions. They hold airports, railway stations and metro rail. They hold power plants, water and wastewater facilities, refineries and steel plants. They hold roads, highways and expressways. They also hold heritage and cultural buildings.

Recognition is growing that these factors connect and interact. They spark and drive crises. Security management must handle them as one system. Attention is growing on the high economic and social cost of weak security management. India needs current video surveillance, hardware and software. The technology products of the Viseum UK Group are developed in London, United Kingdom. They are built with the standards of the Metropolitan Police at Scotland Yard in mind. That force is known for its alertness and fast response. Four elements together form a public safety and security workflow, as set out below:

DETECTION AND INTEGRATION

1. AI SURVEILLANCE CAMERA.
2. ANPR (AUTOMATED NUMBER PLATE RECOGNITION).
3. GUNSHOT DETECTION.

DECISION (COORDINATION CENTRE)

1. DASHBOARDS.
2. COMMAND AND CONTROL CENTRE.
3. INCIDENT MANAGEMENT.
4. INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSIS.

ACTION (FIRST RESPONDERS)

1. ON GROUND ACTION.
2. POLICE OR MEDICAL.
3. RIOT CONTROL.
4. BOMB DISPOSAL.