532 New CCTV Cameras to Be Installed at RG Kar Hospital For Better Vigilance

In a significant move to enhance security at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, authorities have announced the installation of 532 new CCTV cameras within the premises, covering every possible blind spot. This decision comes in the wake of massive protests following the tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old student on August 9, which had ignited demands for improved safety measures within the institution. Junior doctors had led protests for 42 days through their cease work following the horrific incident.

The decision was taken during a crucial meeting held on Tuesday attended by RG Kar hospital officials, nodal officers from the state home department, health officials from Swasthya Bhavan, and representatives from the police department. CISF, too had attended the meeting as they are currently incharge of the security inside the hospital premises, as was directed by the Supreme Court last month.

Current security measures include 200 existing CCTV cameras, which will now be supplemented by the new installations aimed at bolstering safety protocols across the campus. Starting Wednesday, the installation work will commence, “with the goal of completing the project as swiftly as possible to ensure that students, staff, and patients feel secure within the hospital premises”, said a hospital official who was part of the meeting. The hospital authority post the meeting claimed that “in the first phase 100 CCTV cameras will be installed and the work should be over by Thursday. “Overall the objective is to have more than 700 CCTV cameras inside the hospital compound” said an official.

Meanwhile Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for an administrative meeting on Thursday at the state secretariat to discuss the measures adopted to revamp the security apparatus and overall health infrastructure. The Junior Doctors too have been invited for the meeting.

“The first set of 100 cameras will be installed covering all entry and exit points of the hospital, along with every floor and every department. The work would begin on Wednesday and eventually more cameras will be installed across the hospital. We were all shaken by the incident and we are trying to make the security inside the hospital premises as watertight as possible”, said a senior police officer.​