Margao revives CCTV cameras to tackle traffic and rising crime
Margao is set to reboot its public surveillance system with the installation of CCTV cameras at 16 key locations ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. After a decade-long gap following the failure of a 2012 initiative, the Margao Municipal Council is aiming to curb traffic violations and urban crime. The renewed effort promises modern safeguards, strategic monitoring, and vendor accountability.
The municipal body has identified 16 initial locations for CCTV camera installation in coordination with traffic authorities and civic stakeholders. These locations are part of a broader plan to install 100 cameras across the city in phases. While ten cameras have already been placed at the Sonsoddo waste treatment site, the remainder will be operational before the festive season to ensure increased surveillance during high public footfall.
This is not Margao’s first attempt at CCTV enforcement. A previous initiative launched in 2012 saw limited success in curbing traffic violations and deterring crime. That system, however, collapsed due to poor vendor accountability and lack of maintenance. As a result, the entire network became non-functional, leading to a surveillance void that persisted for over a decade and coincided with a reported increase in criminal activity.
Authorities have learned from past missteps and are now implementing strict contract conditions to ensure system sustainability. These include vendor obligations for regular servicing, maintenance, and operational monitoring. This time, the focus is not only on installing the cameras but also on building a long-term operational framework to avoid another breakdown. The surveillance system will be backed by a real-time monitoring unit involving local enforcement teams.
Alongside the surveillance upgrade, Margao also plans to introduce pay-and-park systems to address chronic traffic congestion. Civic bodies aim to integrate parking regulation with CCTV data to streamline traffic flow and improve urban mobility. With festival crowds expected, officials hope this dual approach of surveillance and paid parking will help make the city’s roads safer, more efficient, and better regulated.
As Margao prepares for Ganesh Chaturthi, its revived CCTV network signals a proactive shift in urban safety and traffic management. The return of digital surveillance—backed by improved technology, monitoring, and policy safeguards—may finally restore law and order in Goa’s bustling commercial capital. Success now hinges on consistent enforcement and the civic body’s commitment to long-term system upkeep.
