Delhi CCTV replacement plan targets 140,000 Hikvision cameras in security overhaul

The Delhi government says it will replace 140,000 Chinese-made Hikvision CCTV cameras installed in the first PWD phase as part of a security overhaul. The Public Works Department will shift to updated systems that meet technical standards, improve data security, and have stronger supply and servicing support, according to minister Parvesh Sahib Singh.

The Delhi government said it will remove 1.4 lakh Chinese-made CCTV cameras from the city. PWD minister Parvesh Sahib Singh linked the move to a wider security overhaul. The Public Works Department has installed about 2.8 lakh cameras across Delhi. Singh said many of the units came from the Chinese firm Hikvision.

Delhi has 2,74,389 CCTV cameras installed by the PWD in two phases. Phase 1 ran from September 2020 to November 2022. It added 1,40,000 cameras to the network. Phase 2 ran from June 2025 to March 2026. It added the remaining 1,34,389 cameras.

Delhi CCTV cameras replacement plan and technical upgrades

Singh said the department will replace cameras in stages with updated systems. Singh said the new units should meet current technical standards. Singh also said the systems must provide stronger data security. Singh added they should come with a reliable supply chain. Singh said the plan followed government directives and security considerations.

The government has already approved replacing 50,000 Chinese cameras from the first phase. Singh called this step a corrective measure. "We have decided to phase out a significant portion of the CCTV cameras installed across the city, particularly those sourced from Chinese firm Hikvision, in line with recent government directives and broader security considerations,\" Singh said.

Delhi CCTV cameras row as PWD minister targets AAP

Singh blamed the previous Aam Aadmi Party government for the earlier purchases. Singh said the security risks were not properly weighed. \"The AAP installed Chinese Hikvision cameras across Delhi without thinking about its long-term security implications. When you deploy such systems across an entire city, you are making a national security choice. Unfortunately, the AAP failed to recognise that,\" Singh alleged.

Delhi CCTV cameras debate and AAP response on Hikvision use

AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj rejected the charge and questioned the timing. Bharadwaj said Hikvision cameras are used in several Central government projects. Bharadwaj also cited metro systems as key sites. \"Hikvision cameras are already deployed across multiple Central government projects, including metro systems that are critical to public safety. If there are genuine national security concerns, why has the BJP government not imposed a comprehensive ban on their use across India?\" Bharadwaj asked.

Bharadwaj said the issue looked selective and raised doubts about the intent. Bharadwaj said the allegation could be used to justify new orders. \"It appears less about security and more about creating a convenient pretext to phase out existing systems and award fresh contracts to their favoured company,\" he alleged. The Delhi government has not addressed this claim in the statement.

With inputs from PTI