Delhi’s ₹1,789-Crore AI Camera Plan Raises Surveillance, Privacy Concerns

The government’s plan to install 2,500 AI-enabled cameras across Delhi has sparked concerns among digital rights and privacy advocates over surveillance and data protection.

The ₹1,789.52-crore project, approved by the Union Cabinet, is part of an Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS). The cameras will detect traffic violations including speeding, helmetless riding, mobile phone use while driving, wrong-side driving, illegal parking and vehicles flagged by police.

The new cameras will be linked to existing networks operated by Delhi Traffic Police, Delhi Police and the National Highways Authority of India, feeding data into a central command centre for real-time monitoring.

Privacy advocates have questioned what data will be collected, how long it will be stored and who will have access to it. Internet Freedom Foundation founder Apar Gupta described the project as an expansion of digital surveillance infrastructure.

The system will also use AI to identify stolen, blacklisted and repeat-offender vehicles, as well as vehicles linked to hit-and-run cases. Officials said the platform could later integrate with navigation services such as Google and Apple.

The project will be implemented in three phases over 24 months across 42 corridors, followed by five years of operation and maintenance. The government has said the system will have an encrypted network, secure data centre and regular security audits.