From blinking red to steady green, Mumbai’s traffic police are set for a body-camera upgrade aimed at fixing one persistent problem: cameras dying mid-duty. With nearly 3000 traffic policemen deployed on city roads every day, the Mumbai Traffic Police are preparing to replace outdated body-worn cameras that often fail due to poor battery life. The upgrade is expected to improve accountability, transparency, and enforcement, with fewer chances of cameras shutting down while on duty.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced that traffic personnel will soon be equipped with advanced body-worn cameras. At present, the department uses around 1800 cameras, many of which have become unreliable because of recurring battery failures.
Though the existing cameras claim to offer up to 14 hours of standby time and 10 hours of recording, officers say the reality is starkly different. Several devices reportedly function for just 15 to 20 minutes before shutting down completely. Around 3000 traffic policemen work across Mumbai in two shifts, regulating traffic and taking action against violators.
Mumbai Traffic Police personnel use chest-mounted body cameras at Bharat Mata junction, Lower Parel, to record traffic violations and interactions with motorists. File pics/Ashish Raje
However, malfunctioning cameras often undermine enforcement and limit real-time monitoring. At a recent meeting of senior police officials, a proposal to procure new body-worn cameras was discussed and approved. The police department has confirmed that upgraded devices with improved battery backup and enhanced features will be rolled out in the near future.
Body cams in use
Manufacturer: Sanchar
Features:
>> Audio and video recording
>> 36 MP photos
>> Night vision
>> GPS tracking
>> Wi-Fi connectivity
>> Digital display
>> One-touch recording
Storage: 128 GB internal
5 GB external
Battery: 4000 mAh
Live link:
>> Real-time audio, video, and photos sent to the traffic police control room
>> Cameras mounted on uniforms for live monitoring
How Mumbai compares
Axon cameras widely used in US, UK, Australia, Canada. Pic/Axon.com
India
>> Cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Gurugram
>> Common brands: Sanchar, CP+
International
US, UK, Australia, Canada
>> Axon cameras widely used
>> Linked to fewer complaints and assaults on officers
Motorola Solutions and Edesix used in Europe and Asia. Pic/motorolasolutions.com
Europe and Asia
>> Motorola Solutions, Edesix
>> High-quality video, live streaming
>> Secure, tamper-proof data storage
The problem
Battery drain
>> Claimed backup: up to 10 hours
>> Actual performance: 15–20 minutes for many devices
>> Frequent shutdowns during duty hours
>> Camera count over the years
2021
1388 cameras
2023–24
1600 cameras
Currently
1800 cameras in use
