Safe City Cameras to Now Monitor Sanitation Activities in Lahore
Lahore, Pakistan — 26 July 2025
In a significant step to boost urban cleanliness, the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) in collaboration with the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) has been directed by the provincial government of Punjab to deploy live-surveillance footage of sanitation operations across Lahore.
What the Initiative Entails
Local waste-management companies, including LWMC, must assign dedicated staff at PSCA’s Control Centre to monitor live CCTV feeds covering major areas of Lahore.
These monitors will scan for neglected rubbish piles, illegal dumping, delayed waste collection, and other sanitation-violations via camera-network coverage.
Originally conceived for traffic and security monitoring, the Safe City camera network will also be leveraged for environmental oversight.
The programme is already active in 19 districts of Punjab, with a target of installing around 5,000 cameras by mid-2025.
Key Drivers & Official Endorsement
The campaign is part of the government’s broader push for cleaner public spaces, especially as Lahore grapples with rapid urbanisation and mounting waste-management challenges. Deputy officials have emphasised that combining technology with traditional sanitation efforts will enhance efficiency and responsiveness. In particular:
The assignment of LWMC-staff into PSCA’s surveillance room is expected to expedite identification and remedial response of sanitation issues.
During recent Eid-al-Adha operations, the same network was used to track waste-removal efforts, canal cleanliness and animal-offal disposal—demonstrating practical readiness for this expanded role.
Expected Benefits
Faster Response: Real-time video monitoring allows teams to spot problem areas immediately instead of depending solely on citizen complaints.
Accountability: The visible presence of surveillance encourages waste-management agencies to adhere more strictly to cleaning schedules and standards.
Better Coverage: With a large camera-network, remote or less-visible zones are less likely to be overlooked.
Data-Driven Oversight: Surveillance footage can feed into analytics for identifying chronic rubbish hotspots, enabling resource reallocation.
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Challenges & Considerations
Operational Continuity: The cameras must remain functional and manned round-the-clock; prior reports indicate some Safe City cameras have been non-operational.
Privacy and Use of Footage: Expanding use of cameras from security to sanitation raises questions about policy, data protection and public awareness.
Logistics & Staff: Waste companies must ensure dedicated staff are trained and available to monitor feeds and act on alerts.
Infrastructure Reach: Effective monitoring depends on coverage—areas without cámaras or with obstructed views may remain unmonitored.
Public Awareness: Citizens also need to be informed about how to report issues and what the system monitors, to build trust and cooperation.
