The Hindu         23.02.2012

Now, CCTV units must for commercial buildings

The pressing need for enhanced monitoring of public spaces has finally been recognised by the Chennai Corporation.

The Corporation Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution approving amendment to the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Building Rules 1972 that makes the installation of CCTV systems mandatory for all commercial establishment and public buildings.

The resolution follows instructions to the civic body from the State government for taking adequate measures pertaining to installation of CCTV cameras in such buildings where people gather in large numbers.

On account of the absence of rules for installation of CCTV system, the civic body has asked the government to approve the resolution seeking amendment to the rules.

The new buildings where CCTV camera has to be fixed include public buildings, banks, shops, malls, shopping complex, petrol filling stations, ATM counters and other buildings where people visit for purchase of goods.

The Corporation will give building approval for construction of the new building only if the building design includes the provision for installation of CCTV system. In the existing buildings, CCTV system would have to be installed at the time of obtaining permission from the civic body for change of use of the building.

Every year, the Chennai Corporation is issuing building permits to over 12,000 buildings including special buildings, multi-storey buildings and layouts after taking over the land left over for road and open space reservation once the planning permits are issued by the CMDA.

“Many of the requirements such as ramp and rainwater harvesting structures are only on paper. It is not done after the building is constructed.

The Corporation should ensure that the CCTV system is installed after the building is completed,” said N.Jayakumar, a civil engineer who recently installed CCTV system in a building on Velachery-Taramani Link Road.