Ayodhya to Strengthen Urban Surveillance and Services with 1,000 New CCTV Cameras Under Smart City Project
Ayodhya: In a significant push to bolster security, urban management, and public service delivery, the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation is preparing to roll out a comprehensive surveillance and monitoring system under the Central Government’s Smart City Mission. The ambitious plan involves the installation of around 1,000 advanced CCTV cameras across Ayodhya and its twin city, Faizabad, backed by the creation of an Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) — a centralised hub designed to monitor civic operations and law enforcement in real time.
The Rs 56 crore proposal has received the green signal from the Uttar Pradesh Planning Department, and the groundwork is expected to begin shortly. Authorities have confirmed that once the final state-level administrative approvals are secured, the implementation phase will commence swiftly.
As per the master plan, the ICCC will be located at the joint headquarters of the Ayodhya Municipal Corporation and the Ayodhya Development Authority (ADA), situated in the Civil Lines area. This control centre will act as the nerve centre for multiple smart infrastructure components, ranging from traffic management and security surveillance to addressing real-time urban challenges like waterlogging, power failures, streetlight outages, and disruptions in municipal water supply.
According to senior officials, the newly proposed cameras will be strategically installed in areas of high public footfall, religious tourism zones, and other sensitive or high-security locations. The placement of these surveillance units will be done in close coordination with the Ayodhya Police Department to maximise their impact on crime deterrence and crowd monitoring, especially during festivals and large-scale events.
This initiative is being launched in addition to the already operational Safe City Project, which has successfully installed more than 1,300 CCTV cameras across Ayodhya. These existing cameras, currently integrated with the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) at the Jal Kal office in Amaniganj, form the first layer of Ayodhya’s urban surveillance infrastructure. Notably, a significant number of these cameras also come from private homes, shops, and commercial establishments, contributing to a collaborative public-private approach in ensuring the safety of residents and pilgrims.
Officials say that the new Smart City-linked CCTV network will enhance this existing system, making the monitoring more granular, coordinated, and capable of automated data analysis for quicker response. The upgraded ICCC will be equipped with modern data-processing tools, facial recognition capabilities, and predictive analytics to identify and respond to emergencies or irregularities with minimal delay.
Puneet Ojha, Chief Engineer of the Municipal Corporation’s Construction Department, stated that preparations for the project are in full swing. “We have completed the technical and financial planning. Once the final nod comes through from the state government, the execution of the project will begin without delay,” he said.
With Ayodhya rapidly transforming into a global religious and cultural tourism destination — especially after the inauguration of the Ram Mandir — the need for an intelligent surveillance system has become paramount. City planners and law enforcement agencies believe that this initiative will not only bolster security but also help manage the city more efficiently as its population and visitor count continue to grow.
Residents and business owners in the area have expressed cautious optimism. While many welcome the move for improved security and civic services, some have raised concerns about privacy and data management, which officials assure will be handled according to established legal and ethical guidelines.
As work begins, Ayodhya is poised to take a significant step toward becoming a truly “smart city,” where technology and governance work hand in hand to create a safer, cleaner, and more responsive urban environment.
