All about Bengaluru’s upgraded ‘Safe‑City’ initiative with AI‑powered command centre

Bengaluru Police recently launched a significant overhaul of their Safe City initiative, introducing a cutting-edge Command and Control Centre in Vasanthnagar. This state-of-the-art hub integrates artificial intelligence with surveillance and emergency response systems to enhance urban safety.

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A key development in the initiative is the expansion of the city’s CCTV network, now comprising over 5.3 lakh geo-tagged cameras—more than twice the number recorded in January. These cameras are strategically positioned across residential zones, commercial districts, hospitals, and educational institutions. Each unit is assigned a unique ID and linked to the central command, allowing real-time monitoring and rapid incident localization.

The command centre processes live feeds from a wide array of sources, including fixed and pan-tilt-zoom cameras, drones, and body-worn units. With AI-driven tools such as facial recognition, automatic number plate detection, and behavior analytics, the system enables prompt identification of threats. Footage is retained for 30 days, aiding in post-incident analysis.

Fifty “safety islands” have also been deployed across the city. These emergency kiosks, equipped with panic buttons, instantly alert the control room and dispatch Hoysala patrol vehicles to the location.

Police Commissioner B. Dayananda highlighted the system’s role in swiftly solving cases like road rage and theft through geo-tagged camera tracking. The initiative also includes gender-sensitive policing training, advanced forensic capabilities, and greater public-private CCTV collaboration.

Officials assert that these enhancements aim to ensure faster, smarter responses to crimes, particularly those affecting women, children, and the elderly.