A significant step has been taken towards strengthening prison security in Bihar. On Thursday, the state government approved a project worth ₹155.38 crore for the installation of 9,073 new CCTV cameras in 53 jails across the state.
The existing camera systems in eight jails will also be integrated into this project. “This project will significantly strengthen Bihar’s prison security system and has been initiated with the objective of making the surveillance system more efficient and technologically advanced,” said Samrat Choudhary in a statement.
“The funds have been allocated from the state budgets of 2025 and 2026.”
He added that this initiative will help increase transparency, modernize management processes, and encourage technology-based reforms. According to the Home Minister, this approval was granted based on the revised detailed estimate submitted by the Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (BELTRON) to the Directorate of Prisons and Correctional Services.
The statement said, “The approved amount of ₹155.38 crore includes the cost of CCTV cameras, software, fiber network, local monitoring system, manpower costs for operation and maintenance for five years, consultancy fees, contingency expenses, and BELTRON’s project margin.” Choudhary stated that the funds for this project have been allocated from the state budgets of 2025 and 2026.
There are also plans to install Artificial Intelligence (AI)-equipped cameras in some jails, and a control and command center is being established at the Patna Secretariat for monitoring these cameras. These cameras will monitor every activity of the inmates and can sound an alarm in case of any unusual movement at night.
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