Gujarat’s Project VISWAS: The ‘Brahmastra’ of Policing, a Game-Changer for State Security

Ahmedabad: Gujarat, once infamous for curfews in the 1980s and 1990s, has transformed its law and order landscape over the past two decades, thanks largely to modern technology. Communal riots are now a thing of the past, and the state is leading the way in next-generation policing. At the forefront of this effort is Project VISWAS, touted as a ‘Brahmastra’ for the Gujarat Police, which has successfully completed its second phase.

What is Project VISWAS?
VISWAS, which stands for Video Integration and Statewide Advanced Security, is a comprehensive surveillance initiative aimed at real-time crime prevention, rapid response, and efficient investigation. In its second phase, the project now covers 54 cities and 79 interstate checkpoints, with 12,500 CCTV cameras installed across the state. This follows the first phase, which had deployed 7,000 CCTV cameras along with 10,000 body-worn cameras, 34 district-level command centers, and a master control unit named Trinetra.

Statewide Surveillance and Command Centers
Under VISWAS, district-level NETRAM command and control centers have been established in every district, all linked to the master control room Trinetra in Gandhinagar. Trinetra enables state-wide monitoring in real-time, integrating feeds from CCTV cameras, drones, and body-worn cameras. IPS officer Narsimha Komar, a 1996-batch officer, has been supervising this ambitious initiative, coordinating closely with city police chiefs, including the Vadodara Police Commissioner.

Citizen Success Stories
Project VISWAS has already proven its effectiveness. In one case, a gold theft on a bus from Ahmedabad to Jodhpur was thwarted thanks to live CCTV feeds from the Aroma Circle district command center, which guided police to apprehend the culprits. Stories like these have been shared as citizen success stories and even featured on the PM’s MyGov portal.

The 4D Approach to Policing
VISWAS operates on a 4D model – Delay, Deny, Detect, Deter. Cameras and surveillance technology act as a constant deterrent to criminal activity, providing real-time monitoring, accelerating emergency responses, and gathering evidence for legal action. According to IPS Narsimha Komar, “A human may blink, but this third eye of surveillance never does. It helps in controlling crime and supporting investigations.”

A Vision for the Future
With the third phase planned to cover the remaining areas, Gujarat aims to become the first fully-surveilled state in India, offering unprecedented safety for its citizens. The initiative also supports traffic management, event security, and rapid response to emergencies, making it a model for modern policing nationwide.

Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghvi, Project VISWAS has emerged as a benchmark for next-generation police operations, fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of modern, tech-driven law enforcement.