Patrol vehicles on Gurgaon expressway get cameras

Commuters on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, particularly those driving in wrong lanes and parking on service lanes, would be under surveillance after two highway emergency patrolling vehicles have been equipped with special bullet cameras

Commuters on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway, particularly those driving in wrong lanes and parking on service lanes, would be under surveillance after two highway emergency patrolling vehicles have been equipped with special bullet cameras.

The high resolution cameras are mounted on top of the patrol vehicles and these will help the highway operator in getting live feed of accidents and traffic management in such a scenario, and in monitoring the highway realtime(HT Photo)

The high resolution cameras are mounted on top of the patrol vehicles and these will help the highway operator in getting live feed of accidents and traffic management in such a scenario, and in monitoring the highway realtime.

More than 500 accident deaths have been reported on the Delhi-Gurgaon Expressway since it became operational in 2008. Lack of adequate enforcement has been a major reason for fatal and non-fatal accidents on the stretch.

Highway operator Skylark says bullet cameras were brought in as the expressway has seen comparatively less number of accidents after the highway was brought under video surveillance. The advantage with vehicle mounted cameras would be that the patrol teams can reach the incident site and record from a close distance.

The Gurgaon police has also decided to acquire body cameras for its personnel on ground to improve policing.

Skylark, which operates these patrolling vehicles, said these cameras have the ability to record action during day and night. Both the vehicles have been provided with digital video recorders (DVRs), which can store data for up to 15 days. “We have installed these to improve our incident management ability, collect live footage post-accident and also to monitor how our emergency response teams act during the crucial golden hour,” Navneet Partap Singh, CEO, Skylark, said.

Apart from keeping an eye on accident management, these vehicles will also collect footage related to safety hazards on road, video evidence in case of accidents and vehicle chase.

An Skylark official said despite repeated efforts, they have not been able to curb encroachments and roadside parking violations that are rampant. “We will collect video evidence of these violations, record the movement of motorcycles and three-wheelers, and also provide video evidence to police if they need it,” he said.