This article was originally published on the NITI Frontier Tech Respository.

The future of urban safety does not rely solely on physical presence—it is increasingly underpinned by invisible systems of AI-driven vigilance. As Indian cities grow denser and more complex, municipal and law enforcement bodies are adopting AI-powered surveillance to detect threats, manage crowds, track anomalies, and optimize patrol deployment in real time.

This shift reflects a recognition that security must now be proactive, data-informed, and autonomous. Cities like Kalyan-Dombivli, Pimpri Chinchwad, New Town Kolkata, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam have embedded AI into their civic infrastructure, deploying computer vision, predictive mapping, and intelligent alerts to reduce risk and enhance public trust.

Public spaces today must handle diverse challenges: unauthorized access, unattended baggage, mass gatherings, and perimeter breaches — all while ensuring civil liberties and administrative efficiency. Traditional CCTV systems, while widespread, are often retrospective in value. AI-enabled........

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