The police launched the Safe City Project in Gelephu and Sarpang today. Spearheaded by the police under the Gelephu Mindfulness City vision, the initiative aims to strengthen security, enhance law enforcement, and ensure timely emergency response.
Every step, every movement, and every turn of the road, nothing goes unnoticed anymore.
From late-night wanderers to elephants on the highway, the new eyes of Gelephu and Sarpang are always watching.
This is the Safe City Project, launched in Gelephu and Sarpang to make communities safer, smarter, and more secure.
The Nu 37 M project, which began in February this year, stretches from Sheychamthang check post in Sarpang to Sherzhong bridge in Gelephu.
The project has installed nearly 270 CCTV cameras and eight AI-enabled Automatic Number Plate Recognition systems. These advanced systems can automatically read vehicle number plates, making it easier to track stolen vehicles and detect traffic violations.
At the heart of the project is a Command and Control Centre, monitored round the clock by police and Desuups.
“While the CCTVs represent an innovative step in policing, the initiative more importantly aligns with His Majesty’s vision of Gelephu as a safe, secure, and intelligent city,” said Colonel Namgay.
He added that earlier, cameras in the south often fell prey to lightning strikes and even elephants damaging cable lines. However, this time, the new systems are lightning-proof, with the police IT division maintaining a separate budget for upkeep.
The police say the project will not only boost public safety and emergency response but also improve traffic management and build community trust in law enforcement.
This is just the beginning. Future plans include introducing portable AI-enabled speed monitoring systems, integrating police hotlines into the 1010 emergency number, and expanding the systems to other dzongkhags.
Passang Dorji, Gelephu
