To augment the existing security infrastructure and create a holistic traffic management and crime prevention system, Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon, a city often susceptible to various forms of crime and insurgency, embarked on an ambitious project known as “Project Trinetra.” This initiative integrates modern technologies and the entire scheme, costing 10 million rupees, is being operated through public cooperation.
The initiative is spearheaded by IPS Mohit Garg, SP Rajnandgaon, in collaboration with District Magistrate IAS Sanjay Agrawal. Speaking with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Garg shared details about the project.
THE GENESIS OF TRINETRA
The need for Trinetra arose from the pressing requirement to enhance the security and manage the traffic of Rajnandgaon, a city vulnerable to left-wing insurgency, communal tensions, interstate crimes, and highway crimes. With its expanding urban setup, the city required a robust system that could not only monitor these activities but also respond swiftly to emergencies. The project envisioned a comprehensive system equipped with CCTV monitoring, police control rooms, and emergency response units, including medical services like 108 and 102.
“When I was posted to Rajnandgaon by the Election Commission of India in October 2023, just before the State Assembly elections, my first task was to survey the existing CCTV cameras and traffic signal lights,” Mr. Garg shared. He discovered that the city had about 152 cameras installed under various schemes, but they were in dire need of maintenance and repair. This marked the beginning of the Trinetra project.
INITIAL CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES
One of the primary challenges was ensuring the participation and ownership of the public, as the project was to be funded without using government resources. This required building trust and mobilizing community support. IPS Mohit Garg, along with IAS Sanjay Agrawal, held continuous coordination meetings with various sections of society, including public representatives, officers of various departments, media, chambers of commerce, resident welfare associations, prominent businessmen, social and religious organizations, and NGOs. “Their efforts paid off, and massive public support was garnered from all sections of society.”
Another significant challenge was the technical aspect of the project. The existing setup had separate control rooms for CCTV, district police control, and 112 emergency response. Integrating these into a single control room was crucial for effective monitoring and quick response. The district police enrolled a technical person dedicated to CCTV camera repair and control room monitoring. “They also procured essential equipment like an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer and Core Alignment Fusion Splicer machines to ensure quick repairs and maintenance,” Mr. Garg informed Indian Masterminds.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND IMPACT
With these measures in place, a working prototype of Project Trinetra was ready. The system proved instrumental in ensuring the incident-free conduct of elections and the detection of more than 100 crimes within six months. The project’s success can be attributed to the active involvement and support of the public, which was achieved through extensive awareness campaigns and continuous engagement with various community groups.
The fundraising efforts were also noteworthy. In the first round, chambers of commerce and about 20 businessmen, NGOs, and social groups participated. In the next round, 10 more groups joined in, and the chambers of commerce and resident welfare associations took the fundraising to the grassroots level. Over 100 individuals from societies and commercial establishments participated, motivated by the district police’s continuous good work in accident control, crime prevention, and detection using cameras.
LIMITATIONS OF GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATE FUNDING
The entire scheme is being operated with public cooperation without any governmental financial assistance, with a cost of 10 million rupees. Mr. Garg informed that the project’s unique approach to funding highlighted several limitations of relying on government or corporate CSR funds for such initiatives. These limitations included:
- Corruption in Tender Processes: Government-funded projects often suffer from corruption and structural flaws in the tender process, leading to substandard products and suboptimal vendors at exaggerated costs.
- Lack of Accountability: Once systems are purchased and deployed, they are often left unattended due to the frequent transfer of officers and lack of public involvement.
- Lack of Ownership: Both government offices and the public show little interest in maintaining such systems unless they are personally affected by crime.
- By mobilizing public funds and ensuring community involvement, Project Trinetra overcame these limitations, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability among the residents of Rajnandgaon.
THE ROAD AHEAD
“The long-term goals of Project Trinetra include expanding the grid network to cover the entire district, including all blocks and police stations. Future enhancements will integrate e-challan systems, facial recognition technology, and AI updates to improve accuracy and technological capabilities,” Mr. Garg explained.
The next phase of the project is set to be implemented in Dongargarh Block. Initial meetings with various sections of society in Dongargarh have shown positive support, and a technical survey by a joint team of police and the public has been conducted. The feedback has been overwhelmingly encouraging, with the public forming committees to manage the project independently, further boosting their confidence and ownership.
