Pkl's smart watch plan nears rollout

Panchkula : More than a year after Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini cleared the ambitious Rs 209 crore Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) for Panchkula, the project has finally entered the groundwork stage, raising hopes of better traffic management, faster emergency response and round-the-clock surveillance for residents. The Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) has begun collecting details of existing CCTV coverage and future requirements from various govt departments before preparing a fresh detailed project report (DPR) and floating tenders. If implemented as planned, the ICCC will serve as the city's digital nerve centre, integrating surveillance cameras, traffic systems, emergency services and civic utilities on a single platform for real-time monitoring and response. Currently, Panchkula has around 475 CCTV cameras installed by the municipal corporation, though not all are functional. The police are in the process of installing another 100 cameras. Officials said an additional 200-300 cameras could be added under the ICCC project, depending on feasibility and requirements, with major traffic junctions, govt establishments and key public spaces coming under surveillance. 'We recently held a meeting with stakeholders from different departments and have sought details of their requirements. Once the information is received, a fresh DPR will be prepared and the project will be tendered,' an official said. The PMDA had earlier received a DPR from the urban local bodies department, but officials said a revised plan was needed to reflect current requirements. Discussions are also under way on whether existing cameras can be integrated with the upcoming system and whether Kalka should be included in the first phase or taken up later. For residents, the project promises a range of services beyond surveillance. City management is currently handled by different departments working in isolation, while traffic regulation largely depends on field personnel. Officials expect the ICCC to improve coordination and provide quicker responses to emergencies and civic complaints. The proposed centre will feature AI-based video analytics, Adaptive Traffic Control Systems, Automatic Number Plate Recognition, Red Light Violation Detection systems, traffic counters, emergency call boxes and public address systems. It will also integrate with Haryana Police's Dial 112 helpline and enable real-time monitoring of streetlights, waste management and water supply services. The project will further include SCADA-based monitoring of water and sewage treatment plants, a centralised citizen grievance platform and cybersecurity infrastructure. Though the project is expected to be completed within nine months of award of work, progress has been slow. Despite receiving approval in June 2025, authorities are still in the DPR stage over a year later. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chandigarh | Silver Rate in Chandigarh | Bank Holidays in Chandigarh | Public Holidays in Chandigarh | Chandigarh AQI | Weather in Chandigarh | Petrol Price in Chandigarh | Diesel Price in Chandigarh | CNG Price in Chandigarh | LPG Price in Chandigarh Stay updated with the latest Chandigarh news. Download the TOI App.