Pune Police to Launch Hill Surveillance Project with Emergency Call Boxes and AI-Powered Monitoring
Pune, 9th July 2025: In a major step towards improving public safety in isolated hilly regions of the city, the Pune Police are preparing to roll out a Hill Surveillance Project, which will include the installation of 160 Emergency Call Boxes (ECBs) across 22 hill locations, starting with three at Bopdev Ghat.
The initiative was conceptualized following a spate of serious crimes, including the gang rape incident at Bopdev Ghat, which sparked outrage and highlighted the lack of safety infrastructure in remote and poorly lit hill areas. Other areas like Taljai Hill have also seen multiple robbery cases, particularly targeting morning and evening walkers.
“Our focus is to make these secluded areas safe and accessible for everyone. The pilot phase at Bopdev Ghat has been completed successfully, and full-scale implementation will begin shortly,” said ACP Vivek Pawar, who is overseeing the project.
According to ACP Pawar, fiber trenching and power connectivity spanning 8.5 km from Khadi Machine Chowk to Bopdev Ghat have already been completed. The infrastructure will support a network of high-resolution CCTV cameras, floodlights, IP-based public address systems, and AI-driven surveillance tools.
A dedicated team of three officers will operate the surveillance system from within the police control room, using AI to detect unusual behavior, track movement patterns, and relay real-time alerts to patrol units.
Surveillance Rollout in Phases
The surveillance project will be executed in two phases over six months, covering 22 hill sites across Pune. In the first phase, 12 hills have been identified, and site inspections have already been conducted by Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar and other senior officials.
The technology deployment includes:
600 CCTV cameras, of which 200 are PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) enabled
160 Emergency Call Boxes
177 high-beam floodlights for night visibility
Multiple panic buttons at strategic locations
In addition to video monitoring, each ECB and panic button will provide direct access to the police control room, ensuring rapid response in emergency situations.
Government-Backed Funding
The ₹80 crore project is being funded by the Maharashtra Government. In February 2025, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the sanction of the budget as part of a broader initiative to strengthen Pune’s urban safety infrastructure.
“The goal is to reduce the risk of crimes such as robbery, assault, and sexual violence, and offer a sense of security to trekkers, morning walkers, and local residents,” added ACP Pawar.
The Bopdev Ghat section will be equipped with 40 night-vision CCTV cameras, enhancing surveillance during low-light conditions. The combination of AI monitoring, human response teams, and physical infrastructure is expected to create a strong deterrent to criminal activity.
