KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has inaugurated the Sindh Smart Surveillance System (S4) at the Sassi Toll Plaza. Present on the occasion were Transport Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Mayor Murtaza Wahab, IG Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon, NRTC MD, CPLC chief, and an array of officials.
While speaking on the occasion, the CM proclaimed the Sindh Smart Surveillance System’s vast scope, a visionary initiative set to envelop all 40 toll plazas within the province.
With the vigilant surveillance at the Sassi Toll Plaza already underway, the integration of all toll plazas by the end of August will herald a new era of comprehensive security measures.
CM Shah underscored that the challenges in the Kutcha area now confined to a solitary district.
Looking forward, he affirmed the Smart Surveillance System’s transformative impact on crime control within Malir district, cascading its benefits to encompass the entirety of Sindh, establishing an era of unyielding safety and prosperity.
At the heart of the Sindh Smart Surveillance System lies cutting-edge camera technology, capturing number-plate and facial recognition data at toll plaza entry and exit points.
This state-of-the-art infrastructure exemplifies seamless monitoring of vehicle movements throughout the province, fortified by seamless synchronisation with the Central Police Office Karachi Command and Control Centre, thus fortifying security measures and seamlessly integrating with the Safe City solution.
Among the system’s sophisticated features, a network of nine MPANPR cameras (night vision) discerns authorised number plates, while eight MPFR cameras (night vision) astutely capture facial profiles of drivers and passengers at each toll booth.
To ensure uninterrupted operations, a robust solar power solution, fortified with 8 to 10 hours of battery backup and a dependable generator power system, will harmonise security across all toll plazas, sustained with fuel supply by the Sindh police.
The Central Police Office Command and Control Room boasts a suite of modern facilities, empowering seamless data management.
The integration of Computer-Aided Dispatch Systems and mobile patrol units elevate response efficiency, complemented by advanced AI and analytical tools, culminating in unfaltering communication with the Central Data Centre and CAD, thereby facilitating swift access to vital information.
Earlier, presiding over the 11th meeting of the Provincial Coordination & Implementation Committee (PCIC), the CM decided to take over the Karachi Urban Transport Company (KUTC) to start Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project and resolved land issues of Malir Expressway to speed up work on the project.
The PCIC meeting was attended by provincial ministers Imtiaz Shaikh, Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Shah, Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, Special Assistant to CM Qasim Naveed, Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Babar Iftikhar, Chief Secretary Sohail Rajput, Chairman P&D Hassan Naqvi, PSCM Fayaz Jatoi.
Commissioner Karachi Iqbal Memon, MD SSWMB Imtiaz Shah and others.
The chief minister was informed that the Karachi Urban Transport Company (KUTC) would undertake the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project. The company was still under the control of the federal government.
He said that he would talk to the prime minister to take over the KUTC which was responsible to fulfill the documentation of the KCR project.
Meanwhile, the CM directed the works department to complete the first segment of Malir Expressway from Jam Sadiq Bridge to Quaidabad by the end of November 2023.
He directed the P&D dept not to disturb the people living in the villages but construct a 2-km elevated structure (bridge) on the left side of the villages on the existing alignment – at the outer periphery of the right bank of Malir River – bypassing Samo, Lasi, and Old Shafi Goths to avoid land acquisition and relocation.
It has six interchanges to be constructed which shall connect major traffic arteries of the city.
Construction activities are in progress on Interchanges at EBM Causeway, Shah Faisal, and Bridges over Nallah and Chakora.
The meeting also discussed Mass Transit Projects, Yellow Line, and Redline.
Minister Transport Sharjeel Memon informed the meeting that the project would start with the assistance of the World Bank at a cost of over Rs60 billion.
Presently the bidding document was under preparation. The meeting was informed that the Red Line project has been started with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
It is a 24km project starting from Malir Hhalt to Numasih.
Published at Express Tribune on 7th August 2023