Enhancing the safety and security of the shelters’ residents, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has entrusted its e-governance department with the pivotal task of installing CCTV cameras in the city’s night shelters.
This landmark decision brings an end to a five-year dispute with Smart Ahmedabad Development Limited, marking a major step towards safeguarding the well-being of shelter communities.
Resolving a 5-year tussle
AMC’s e-governance department has been entrusted with the installation of CCTV cameras in the city’s night shelters, effectively resolving a five-year dispute with Smart Ahmedabad Development Limited over the responsibility for this task.
Under the urban community development (UCD) department, shelter homes in Ahmedabad are required to adhere to union government guidelines by ensuring the presence of CCTV cameras for security purposes. However, the installation process had been delayed due to the prolonged disagreement.
Initially, the dispute revolved around the e-governance department and Smart City Ahmedabad Development Limited, both hesitant to take on the camera installation due to staff shortages and disagreements on jurisdiction. Eventually, senior AMC officials intervened and allocated the task to the e-governance department.
To accomplish this endeavor, a contract was awarded through a tender floated in April, encompassing 35-night shelters at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore. The awarded agency is expected to complete the installation within a month. Furthermore, AMC is planning to construct eight additional night shelters, budgeted at Rs 69 crore.
