Chennai: In response to rising concerns about animal mistreatment and fatalities at municipal Animal Birth Control (ABC) centres, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has unveiled plans to enhance surveillance by installing 60 CCTV cameras across five facilities.
The initiative, with an estimated budget of Rs 17.82 lakh, is designed to bolster transparency and tighten monitoring systems within the centres.
GCC officials confirmed that each ABC centre will be fitted with a set of 12 CCTV cameras. These 3-megapixel units will be 4G SIM-enabled and equipped with internet connectivity and integrated video management software for centralised oversight.
To implement the project, GCC has invited tenders for the supply, installation, and maintenance of the equipment, ensuring a three-year warranty and ongoing support from the selected vendor.
The move comes in the wake of observations from the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board, which highlighted lapses in veterinary care—particularly at centres performing surgical procedures on stray dogs.
Triggered by public outrage over multiple reports of alleged cruelty and neglect, the civic body has initiated this step to restore confidence and address systemic issues.
A GCC official said the installation of CCTV cameras will help improve security measures, ensure accountability, and prevent the mistreatment or death of animals at the centres.
“The video surveillance data from these cameras will be stored and monitored as directed by the GCC. Video feeds will be preserved for a minimum of 30 days and connected to a network video recorder (NVR) unit,” the official added.
The official further stressed that the video footage would be securely managed, with exclusive access granted to authorised personnel.
“Once the camera view is positioned, there should be a mechanical locking arrangement to prevent the camera from drooping, shaking, or changing its view,” the official said.
The GCC believes that real-time surveillance will provide critical evidence to hold violators accountable and deter misconduct.
“The video footage can be used to produce evidence for security authorities to take swift action in case of violations,” the official said.
With the tendering process currently underway, GCC aims to complete the installation promptly upon finalising contracts, hoping the upgrade will significantly improve conditions at ABC centres and reassure the public of their humane functioning.
(inputs from IANS)