PSCA forced to invest Rs3m on infrastructure repair

Investigator terms damage to its cameras, equipment premeditated

LAHORE:

In addition to claiming the lives of several policemen, a religious political organisation’s agitation last month caused a loss of millions of rupees to Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) also. The organisation is reportedly investing over Rs3 million to relocate and repair its damaged infrastructure at Chowk Yateem Khana.

The CCTV cameras and other equipment were severely damaged after protesters resorted to violence. They not only tortured and captured policemen after attacking a police station and a DSP office but also targeted the government infrastructure, especially CCTV cameras installed by the PSCA.

An officer said the destruction of the infrastructure appeared to be a premediated move. The damaged cameras were installed near the headquarters of the organisation.

The PSCA surveillance cameras had helped the authorities in identification of those involved in attacking policemen, public and private property during previous agitations. The cameras had also generated ample irrefutable evidence against the suspects.

He said the protest’s organisers gathered at the site and moved into the headquarters after dispersing. They were annoyed because the cameras generated a record of them.

The official said the investigations into the violent acts that left many policemen injured or hostage, a police station on fire and PSCA cameras damaged had indicated the act of destroying the cameras was not caused by sudden provocation.

As per details available with The Express Tribune, the government will be spending around Rs3.1 million for the relocation of the CCTV cameras and poles and reinstalling them.

Replying to a question, the official said there had been no word about compensation for the damage caused by the mob. He said the issue had been set aside to restore peace in the province.

The officer further said that the re-construction was going to be a tedious job as it involved a lot of development work.

According to sources, the required work includes construction of concrete foundation for poles including concrete casting, conduit provision and finishing as per approved drawings.

The spending will also include optic fibre cable (OFC) trench works in normal soil, including provision and laying of warning tape and reinstatement,  OFC trench works across the road including provision and laying of warning tape and reinstatement ,complete in all respects, and providing, laying, cutting, jointing and testing high-density polyethylene pipe of 40mm in trenches.

The rehabilitation work also includes re-Installation of poles and installation and commissioning of the grounding system including all necessary fittings and accessories.

During the process, provision, laying and splicing of optic fibre cable will also be done.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 30^th, 2021.