Belapur: The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) plans to install 12,000 artificial intelligence (AI)-powered CCTV cameras across the city within a year, drawing inspiration from Dubai’s surveillance network, NMMC House Leader Sagar Naik said.

Speaking at a Vijayadashami Vijayotsav organised by the Navi Mumbai Rehabilitation Social Organisation to mark Deputy Mayor Dashrath Bhagat’s birthday, Naik said the proposed network would cover major roads, public spaces and sensitive locations to monitor suspicious activities and help curb crime.

“Our aim is to make Navi Mumbai one of the safest cities in the country. The proposed AI-powered CCTV network will strengthen surveillance and help prevent criminal activities,” Naik said.

Highlighting water security, Naik cited the acquisition of Morbe Dam as a long-term investment in the city’s future. He said the civic body was also supplying water to Kamothe and Kalamboli, while work on the proposed Poshir Dam was being pursued to meet growing demand. He added that planning was focused on Navi Mumbai’s requirements in 2047.

Separately, a ‘Dark Spot Security Service’ has been launched in Sanpada-Sonkhar to address open drinking, thefts, robberies, chain-snatching and late-night disturbances. Conceived by corporator Nishant Bhagat, the service will deploy security personnel to assist the police as ‘Police Mitras’. It was formally handed over to Sanpada police station Senior Inspector Deepak Surve.

At the event, Mayor Sujata Patil distributed MSRTC smart cards to senior citizens, while participants in the ‘Sugandhi Shahar Abhiyan’ courtyard adoption scheme received certificates. The organisers also announced the Sonkhar Sports Festival 2026.