The Delhi government has initiated a phased removal of Chinese-origin CCTV cameras across the city, with a significant portion of the network largely comprising systems from Chinese manufacturer Hikvision set to be replaced.
The move comes amid growing concerns over national security, data privacy and compliance with new regulatory norms.
Officials have flagged surveillance infrastructure as a sensitive domain, with fears that foreign-made systems could be vulnerable to hacking or unauthorised data access.
Concerns not limited to India
Chinese CCTV brands, particularly Hikvision, have been at the centre of global scrutiny over alleged cybersecurity risks and potential ‘backdoor’ access to data.These concerns are not limited to India.
Several Western nations have already imposed bans or restrictions on the use of Hikvision equipment in sensitive installations, citing risks to national security.
Hikvision cameras have also drawn criticism internationally over allegations of links to human rights violations, further intensifying scrutiny of their deployment in public systems.
This backdrop has influenced India’s approach toward surveillance technology, especially in critical urban infrastructure like Delhi’s extensive CCTV network.
New regulatory requirements
The ongoing replacement exercise aligns with new regulatory requirements that came into effect on April 1. Under these rules, manufacturers, including Hikvision must submit their internet-connected CCTV cameras for testing and certification by government-authorised laboratories before they can be sold in India.
The policy applies to all such CCTV models manufactured or imported since April 9, effectively tightening oversight on surveillance equipment entering the Indian market.
Delhi’s surveillance network, one of the largest in the country, includes a substantial number of Chinese-origin cameras installed over the past several years. With many of these belonging to Hikvision, the current exercise is expected to significantly reshape the city’s surveillance ecosystem.
Authorities say that the transition will be carried out in phases to ensure there is no disruption in monitoring and law enforcement capabilities.
Plan part of push to deploy ‘trusted source’ technologies
The replacement plan is also part of a broader push to deploy ‘trusted source’ technologies. The government aims to move toward systems that meet stricter cybersecurity standards and are sourced either domestically or from approved international vendors.
The decision reflects a wider national trend of reducing dependence on Chinese technology in critical sectors. From telecom networks to surveillance systems, India has been steadily tightening rules to safeguard data and infrastructure.
This has also drawn a political blame game among the ruling BJP and the Opposition AAP.
Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Sahib Singh said that the AAP government installed Chinese Hikvision cameras across Delhi without thinking about the long-term security implications. “Surveillance infrastructure is not just about visibility, it is about control over sensitive data,” he added.
He added, “This was not a routine procurement decision. When you deploy such systems across an entire city, you are making a national security choice. Unfortunately, the Aam Aadmi Party failed to recognise that.”
Why has BJP government not imposed ban?
However, AAP Delhi Unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said that Hikvision cameras are already deployed across multiple Central Government projects, including metro systems that are critical to public safety.
“If there are genuine national security concerns associated with these cameras, why has the BJP government not imposed a comprehensive ban on their use across India?” he asked.
This selective alarm raises serious questions. It appears less about security and more about creating a convenient pretext to phase out existing systems and award fresh contracts to a favoured company, Bharadwaj added.
