Pune: AI-based cameras, smart lights, and panic buttons to improve safety at ARAI-Vetal Hills
Pune, July 4, 2025: In a major move to enhance public safety and protect forest areas, the Pune Police have begun installing a state-of-the-art surveillance system at ARAI-Vetal Hills, one of the city’s most frequented natural sites. The effort is part of a larger hill safety project covering 22 hill locations across Pune, triggered by increasing concerns over crimes and environmental degradation in the city’s forested zones.
The initiative follows last year’s horrific gang-rape incident at Bopdev Ghat, which exposed critical gaps in security infrastructure in Pune’s hill regions. Since then, officials have been working closely with the Forest Department to develop a tech-driven solution that balances public safety with ecological preservation.
609 CCTV Cameras to Monitor 22 Hills
The ₹80-crore project, fully funded by the Pune Police, includes the installation of 609 advanced CCTV cameras, along with smart audio systems, panic alert boxes, and floodlights across 22 locations. The ARAI-Vetal Hills installation is one of the first under this plan.
“At ARAI-Vetal Hills alone, we’re installing 47 fixed CCTV cameras, 6 pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, 24 IP-based audio speakers, and 44 smart floodlights,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Pawar, who is overseeing the project.
“All cameras are equipped with night vision, allowing for continuous surveillance after dark. This will drastically improve our ability to respond to both safety threats and environmental concerns,” Pawar added.
Eco-Sensitive Setup with Forest Department Coordination
The surveillance points were selected jointly by the Pune Police and Forest Department to minimise ecological impact. “We’ve taken care to ensure the installations do not harm the biodiversity or disturb the natural ecosystem,” said a senior forest official, requesting anonymity.
The system is also designed to aid in forest conservation—tracking illegal encroachments, preventing open fires, and discouraging unauthorized gatherings that often result in littering and damage to local flora and fauna.
“The system isn’t just for crime deterrence,” Pawar emphasized. “It will also help monitor forest fires, illegal tree cutting, and intrusion, especially during the dry season.”
Emergency Response Tech Powered by AI
A key component of the project is the deployment of 160 emergency call boxes, fitted with panic buttons, audio-visual communication systems, and built-in cameras. These units are connected to the central surveillance network and generate real-time alerts in case of tampering or distress signals.
“The emergency boxes, paired with AI-based monitoring, allow us to detect and respond to suspicious activity or emergency situations instantly,” Pawar said.
An additional 231 IP-based speakers will be used to broadcast safety instructions, evacuation alerts, or crowd-control messages remotely. Smart floodlights installed throughout the hills will ensure high visibility even during nighttime hours, helping both visitors and authorities.
Citywide Expansion Planned
The ARAI-Vetal Hills model will serve as a template for similar installations across all identified hills in Pune. “Our goal is to replicate this setup in every vulnerable hill area across the city,” Pawar confirmed.
The entire surveillance system will be jointly monitored by the Pune Police and the Forest Department, ensuring coordinated action in the event of emergencies—whether manmade or natural.
