Delhi Government Orders Removal of 2.5 Lakh Chinese CCTV Cameras Over Security Concerns

The Delhi government has decided to replace nearly 2.5 Lakh Chinese-made CCTV cameras installed across the national capital, according to a report by PTI. Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said the move mainly targets surveillance cameras supplied by the Chinese company Hikvision. The decision has been taken in line with recent government directives and broader national security concerns. “We have decided to phase out a significant portion of the CCTV cameras installed across the city, particularly those sourced from Chinese firm Hikvision,” Singh said.

The development follows a directive from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), which has barred the sale and use of Chinese-origin CCTV cameras from April 1, citing security risks. Officials said the PWD will gradually replace these cameras with upgraded systems that meet current technical standards, offer improved data protection, and are supported by a more reliable supply and service network. Singh added that the government has already approved the replacement of 50,000 Chinese cameras in the first phase of the project. He described the decision as a “clear course correction,” stating that every Chinese camera installed earlier will be systematically replaced with secure and trusted alternatives.Responding to the allegations, AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the rationale behind the move.

“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?” he asked. Responding to the allegations, AAP Delhi unit president Saurabh Bharadwaj questioned the rationale behind the move. “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?” he asked.