The Delhi government has launched a sweeping audit of over 2.6 lakh CCTV cameras installed across the city during the previous AAP regime, aiming to ensure they’re not just fixtures but functional guardians of public safety.

Announced on Sunday, the move by the Public Works Department (PWD) signals a crackdown on inefficiencies and a push to fortify the capital’s surveillance network.

The directive, issued by PWD’s principal secretary, calls for a meticulous physical verification of the 2.63 lakh cameras documented in records—part of a 2.80 lakh-camera rollout executed in phases under the AAP government.

The audit will scrutinize their operational status, image quality, coverage, and integration with systems like Delhi Police’s, a senior official revealed. “This isn’t just a count—it’s about ensuring these cameras actually enhance security,” he said.

The initiative follows PWD Minister Parvesh Verma’s recent Assembly pledge to probe why eight BJP-represented constituencies were skipped in the original installation drive—a snub he vowed to rectify with priority deployments.

Now, with a private IT firm likely to be roped in, the audit will also assess data management for compliance with privacy laws, delivering a report within two months to guide corrective action.

This isn’t just maintenance—it’s a mission to make Delhi’s streets safer, smarter, and more accountable. The findings could expose gaps in the ambitious project’s execution, while paving the way for upgrades to match its lofty goal: a watchful eye over a sprawling metropolis.

As the PWD digs into the numbers and functionality, Delhiites await a surveillance system that lives up to its promise—one frame at a time.