Mohammadpur Plans Technology-Led Security Network

The government is planning an integrated, technology-driven security system in Mohammadpur and the Dhaka-13 parliamentary constituency to prevent crime, improve public safety and ease traffic congestion. As part of the initiative, 80 high-resolution CCTV cameras have been installed at 15 strategically important locations. The number of cameras is expected to reach several hundred within the next year. Authorities are also planning to use artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse footage from the expanding network and identify suspicious activities.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education and Dhaka-13 lawmaker Bobby Hajjaj disclosed the plans at a press briefing held at a community centre in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on Saturday, November 14, 2026. The briefing focused on the overall law and order situation, crime prevention, CCTV surveillance and modern traffic management in Mohammadpur and the wider constituency.

He said the government was working to prevent crime and ensure public safety through effective use of technology, planned surveillance and coordination with law enforcement agencies, rather than relying solely on action after offences had occurred.

Hajjaj said the CCTV network had been installed at important roads, intersections and public gathering points, including Basila Chourasta, Mohammadpur Bus Stand and Asad Gate. The 80 cameras at 15 strategic locations offer high-resolution imaging and zoom capabilities.

Surveillance focused on crime-prone locations

The minister said a list of crime-prone locations had been prepared in cooperation with local police stations to identify areas with higher crime rates and places where offences were more likely to occur. Cameras were installed based on information received from police stations in Mohammadpur, Adabor and surrounding areas.

Specialised covert cameras have also been installed at the entrances to Geneva Camp. Footage from these cameras helped the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) identify and arrest individuals involved in the cocktail attack on the July Memorial Museum, he said.

He added that the surveillance network would be expanded, alongside a coordinated security system involving responsible members of the local community.

Under the initiative, the Dhaka-13 constituency is being divided into 70 neighbourhoods, with plans to form committees in each. Representatives of mosque and temple committees, market committees, educational institutions and respected local residents will be included.

CCTV footage, however, will not be made publicly accessible. For security reasons, access will be restricted to relevant police stations, traffic authorities and designated representatives of neighbourhood committees, as required.

Residents and owners of businesses, offices and educational institutions are also being encouraged to install CCTV cameras and ensure adequate lighting outside their premises. The government plans to integrate these cameras into the wider surveillance network.

AI planned to identify suspicious activity

Outlining the next phase, Hajjaj said monitoring footage from a large number of cameras simultaneously could become difficult for police. The government was therefore exploring AI-based technology to identify unusual and suspicious activities quickly and send alerts to the relevant police stations and designated officers.

On progress in controlling mugging in Mohammadpur and Dhaka-13, he said integrated CCTV surveillance, improved street lighting and regular police activity had reduced mugging incidents to zero in several crime-prone locations.

However, isolated areas continued to experience criminal activity. The relevant police stations had been instructed to identify those locations and take more active measures to control crime.

The minister stressed that installing cameras alone would not be enough to ensure security. Increased police patrols, additional manpower, stronger logistical capacity and more effective police station operations were also essential.

He said the large geographical area covered by Mohammadpur Police Station often made it difficult for officers to reach different locations quickly. The issue of providing additional patrol vehicles and strengthening police capacity had been discussed with the DMP commissioner.

Initiatives were also being taken to strengthen local security through cooperation with major businesses, industrial establishments, hospitals and markets in the area.

Modern traffic management

Hajjaj said technology-driven traffic management was being introduced to ensure smoother movement for residents and reduce congestion.

Modern traffic signal systems are already operational at important locations, including Shia Mosque, Asad Gate and the area adjacent to Eye Hospital at Dhanmondi 27.

The government plans to install modern traffic control systems at three more locations within the next two months: the western gate of DRMC School, Noorjahan Road and the entrance to Shampa Market.

He said the DMP traffic division was regularly monitoring road conditions through the CCTV cameras installed across Dhaka-13. The system was helping authorities respond more quickly to congestion at key points, including the route from Salimullah Road to Shia Mosque, Shampa Market to Square Hospital, Mohammadpur Bus Stand and Basila Chourasta.

The cameras were also being used to identify illegal parking, unauthorised stopping and other traffic violations. Alongside taking necessary legal action, authorities were conducting video-based prosecution activities.

Social initiatives to address youth gangs and drugs

On controlling youth gangs and drug-related crime, the minister said authorities needed to address the social and economic factors that contribute to criminal activity, alongside arresting offenders.

He emphasised the need to expand skills development, employment opportunities and support for new business ventures among young people.

To this end, discussions were underway with development partners, including the World Bank and Asian Development Bank, on development and rehabilitation initiatives in Basila, Bihari Camp and other areas.

The government was also discussing employment generation with business organisations, including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

Plans were progressing on education and skills development initiatives centred on Basila Polytechnic and the National University.

Addressing drug-related problems in Bihari Camp, Hajjaj said the entrances and exits of the camp had been brought under CCTV surveillance, and the relevant police station had been assigned special responsibilities.

Long-term rehabilitation and development plans were also being pursued to address the area's underlying social and economic challenges.

The minister said building a safer Mohammadpur and a more orderly Dhaka-13 required collective efforts from elected representatives, police, local residents, businesses, educational institutions and the media. He described the media's responsible role and cooperation as particularly important.

“Our commitment is a safe Mohammadpur and an orderly Dhaka-13. The safety and comfort of citizens are our highest priorities. Through modern technology, planned surveillance, effective coordination and public participation, we want to make this area safer,” he said.

Representatives of the DMP's Traffic-Tejgaon Division, Mohammadpur, Adabor and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police stations, the Special Response Battalion (SRB) and other relevant law enforcement agencies attended the briefing. Journalists from various media organisations were also present.

//DBTech/MTMS/SCDE/FOED//