Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has activated a network of 330 CCTV cameras across the city to bolster security, transparency, and monitoring for the upcoming elections. The expanded surveillance infrastructure covers polling stations, strong rooms, EVM commissioning sites, material distribution points, and other critical election-related locations, reflecting a growing trend among Indian urban local bodies to leverage technology for civic governance and electoral integrity.
The initiative includes comprehensive coverage across ward offices, strong rooms, and schools designated as secure locations for election machinery. Nearly 300 cameras have been installed within ward-specific strong rooms and offices of Election Returning Officers, spanning areas from Majiwada-Manpada to Mumbra and Diva. Strategic sites such as the main strong room at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Bhavan and material distribution centres at Town Hall have been equipped with an additional 30 cameras, bringing the total operational count to 330. A central command centre at the TMC headquarters has been set up to enable live monitoring of feeds, allowing officials to observe and respond to irregularities in real time. Deputy Commissioner Manish Joshi has been appointed as the nodal officer for overseeing the CCTV network, supported by surveyors and engineers from the municipal Town Planning Department. Dedicated user IDs and passwords have been provided to Election Returning Officers and assistants to ensure direct monitoring of sensitive locations, particularly strong rooms housing EVM machines.
Urban governance experts note that such deployments enhance accountability and reduce the risk of procedural lapses during elections. “In high-density cities, integrating technology like real-time CCTV monitoring strengthens the reliability of electoral processes while enabling rapid response to any anomalies,” said a senior municipal officer. In addition, this approach aligns with emerging trends in smart city frameworks, where surveillance, monitoring, and data-driven governance intersect with urban resilience and civic management. The deployment of cameras across wards also offers ancillary benefits for urban planning and emergency preparedness. By mapping and monitoring key public locations, municipal authorities gain insights into crowd management, traffic patterns, and security protocols that extend beyond the electoral cycle. Furthermore, ensuring secure handling of election materials mitigates potential disruptions that could otherwise delay civic services and community engagement.
While the initiative primarily targets electoral integrity, its long-term impact may influence broader municipal operations. By standardising CCTV oversight and centralised monitoring, Thane sets a precedent for adopting technology in city management, balancing security, transparency, and efficiency. Continued investment in such systems could enhance citizen trust, streamline administrative processes, and support inclusive governance in high-density urban centres.
Thane Enhances Poll Security With Extensive CCTV Coverage
