In a significant step towards enhancing road safety and law enforcement in Wokha town, the Wokha District Road Safety Committee formally dedicated a set of newly installed CCTV cameras and breath analyzers during a programme held at the Wokha Police Station on April 17.
The initiative, taken up under the District Road Safety Plan, was implemented with support from the Transport Department, in collaboration with the District Administration, Police, and other departments under the committee. The equipment was funded through the Road Safety Fund.
As part of the first phase, five CCTV cameras have been installed at strategic locations, three at the Clock Tower area, one at the traffic point below the Deputy Commissioner’s office, and another at Tsumang Lake.
The committee plans on adding 15 more cameras to expand surveillance coverage across Wokha. The control room for monitoring the CCTV footage has been set up at the Wokha Police Station.
In addition to the CCTV network, two advanced breath analyzers have been introduced for enforcement purposes. These devices are capable of printing test results instantly and come equipped with built-in cameras that capture the image of the person taking the test.
This feature ensures the authenticity of the sample, helping to detect alcohol consumption among drivers and pedestrians suspected of intoxication. These measures are expected to deter drug abuse, drunken driving, and other illegal activities in the town.
Deputy Commissioner Vineet Kumar, acknowledged the joint efforts of the District Road Safety Committee and the Transport Department. He described the initiative as a modest beginning with significant potential to improve public safety.
He also informed that eight convex mirrors have been installed at key locations to improve road visibility and reduce accidents caused by blind spots. While emphasizing the role of technology in enforcement, he noted that sustained success would require public cooperation and responsible usage by authorities.
He urged officials handling the equipment to take ownership of its maintenance and use it effectively. He stressed that equipment alone cannot solve problems unless backed by a sense of collective responsibility and active community involvement.
Superintendent of Police Wokha M. Rhovisie Nyuwi expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for their support in procuring the equipment. He highlighted the increasing traffic and road safety concerns in the district and stressed the importance of such tools in addressing them.
He encouraged departments to remain vigilant and dedicated, emphasizing that technology should complement, not replace, the human effort in enforcement. He also called for frequent deployment of personnel on roads to create awareness among the public and ensure stricter adherence to traffic rules.
The programme was chaired by SDO (Civil), Wokha, Nuhuta Tunyi, and a dedicatory prayer was offered by pastor Medo Naleo of Tenyimi Church Wokha.