The Kolkata Police special task force (STF) will set up a single command centre — nicknamed the War Room — that can seamlessly manage any major accident, disaster or terror attack in the city. The command centre is likely to come up at the Kolkata Police wireless office at Ripon Street.
The War Room will coordinate with all on-ground CCTV footages and monitor activities of suspicious movements. “It will be a combination of our information hub, control room and the response teams. For this, proper co-ordination with other agencies like the disaster management group and the fire brigade is a must,” claimed a source.
According to the tender document, the new War Room will have feeds from all available CCTV sources, both belonging to Kolkata traffic police and private ones. The drive to connect all private CCTV feeds to the local police stations has already yielded results.
In addition, the cops will receive internet feeds and have separate channels of communication, which will be in touch with the main police control room. There will be multiple feeds so that officers at the command centre are always in touch with those on the ground. One of the major tasks of this command centre will to ensure social media does not add to the trouble in times of crisis.
“While real-time audio and video conferencing will be a key feature, what will set this control room apart, is the futuristic idea of using real-time video analytics and GIS-based software to pinpoint locations and suspects within the shortest possible time,” claimed a well-placed police source.
A source added the bidders will have a free hand in designing the centre. “We have invited the bidders to the spot where the command room would be set up before they make their presentation. The last date for Expression Of Interest (EOI) has been extended from December 3 to December 10,” said the officer.
The war room will combine intelligence gathering with operations and aims to ensure all the players are in sync, said an officer. “Now, it will become a collaborative effort where everything is on the table and all intelligence report is shared across the board,” he said.
Source: Times of India
