CCTVs to check smuggling on Karwar-Goa route

HUBLI: After North Karnataka, now Uttara Kannada is turning to CCTVs to check crime rate. CCTVs have been installed at Majali checkpost in Karwar, Uttara Kannada district, to scan smuggling activities. This border area establishes a link between Goa and Karwar.

Various government departments __ excise, commercial tax, mines and geology, Customs and police __ will check vehicles coming from both Goa and Karwar at this checkpost.

All these days, despite strict vigil, people managed to smuggle goods between Karwar and Goa as all the departments involved in checking at this juncture were reportedly finding it difficult to keep eye on each and every vehicle and person.

Realizing that it was a difficult task, police department, with the help of other departments, has installed three CCTVs at this checkpost on Tuesday evening. These CCTV cameras will capture the movement of vehicles and persons within a distance of around 5 to 6 mts on NH 17 leading to the checkpost.

Speaking to TOI, Raman Gupta, SP, Uttara Kannada district, said that Majali checkpost is one of the sensitive areas and there is always heavy traffic movement. With the installation of CCTVs, we can now keep an eye on each vehicle coming to our state from Goa and the vehicles proceeding to Goa from our state.

There will be no scope for smuggling and other illegal activities as cameras will follow and capture the image of each vehicle quickly, he said.

"We expect the crime rate in this border area to come down now. We plan to install more CCTVs in Karwar city at sensitive areas,'' he added.