FCI to Upgrade Surveillance with 23,750 New Cameras Across Depots

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) will install 23,750 cameras across 561 depots, upgrading to a modern IP-based CCTV system. This new system will include onboard analytics and a centralized Command Control Centre, enhancing surveillance and operational capabilities.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is set to install 23,750 cameras across 561 of its depots, according to a statement from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution on Tuesday. The initiative is part of a broader effort to upgrade the current analog CCTV surveillance system to a state-of-the-art IP-based CCTV system.

The new surveillance cameras will be equipped with advanced analytics features, such as camera tampering detection, field of view changes, motion detection, and more, the ministry announced. This upgrade will significantly enhance monitoring capabilities with high-resolution images, better scalability, and remote access. Central to this plan is the creation of a centralized Command Control Centre (CCC) and Network Operating Centre (NoC) at the FCI Headquarters.

The CCC will oversee the health of the surveillance system and store incidental data on demand, the statement said. It will also offer advanced video analytics and robust security features, enabling better management of day-to-day operations at the depots. Additionally, environmental and humidity sensors will be piloted to provide valuable data for assessing and optimizing storage conditions.

This modernization follows a successful Proof of Concept (POC) conducted by the Quality Council of India at FSD Shyamanagar. Over the years, FCI has progressively installed CCTV cameras in its depots—from 61 in 2013-14 to 67 in 2014-15, eventually reaching 516 depots by 2018. Currently, live feeds from these cameras are accessible on the FCI website under the 'See your depot' tab.

(With inputs from agencies.)