New Delhi: An internal inquiry by Delhi
government has indicted PWD for failing to install CCTV
cameras at Delhi High Court, absence of which was cited as one
of the major lacunae in the security system after September 7
blast.
The inquiry report, which found the procedural lapses,
particularly on part of two senior engineers, has been sent to
Union Home Ministry for further action.
The Public Works Department was asked to install CCTV
cameras in various points in the High Court complex three
years ago but due to procedural delays, the project did not
take off.
Absence of CCTVs was cited as one of the major lacunae in
the security system and government had ordered the internal
probe after receiving severe flak for failing to install the
cameras.
"The internal probe found lapses on part of the concerned
engineers," top sources said, indicating action against those
found responsible.
The demand for installation of CCTV camera was again
raised after a low-intensity blast had exploded in the court
complex on May 25. But after that blast also, PWD could not
implement the project.
Admitting lapses on PWD's part, an official of the agency
said the project, initially estimated at Rs 66 lakh, got
delayed as Delhi Police kept changing specifications for the
cameras.
"They kept changing the specifications in the last couple
of years due to which we could not go ahead with the project"
the PWD official said.
Re-tendering was also done following complaints about the
make and quantity of the cameras, said another official,
adding there was also confusion on the location of the
cameras.
The official said there was a building and maintenance
committee of Delhi High Court whose opinion PWD had to
accommodate, which also led to the delay.
Following the blast, then Delhi High Court Chief Justice
Dipak Misra, handed over the project to install 49 cameras to
the Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL). Misra joined as
Supreme Court judge yesterday.
After the blast, Home Minister P Chidambaram had also
indirectly criticised the PWD.
There were already 21 CCTV cameras in the court complex
but there was none at the reception counter where the blast
had taken place. 49 cameras will be installed at strategic
locations in and around the complex.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 00:08