Abu Dhabi road tunnels get security cameras

Pedestrians using underpasses to cross to the other side in Abu Dhabi should avoid throwing waste or get involved in other malpractices as they will be caught by security cameras being installed underground in the capital.

Municipality workers were seen this week fixing advanced security cameras inside each underpass in the city of nearly 1.3 million people.

Each of the more than 30 pedestrian underpasses in the capital will get three security cameras-one in the middle and two at the edges of the tunnel.

“The project involves the installation of cameras at all underpasses in Abu Dhabi…we began the project this week and hopefully it will be completed before the end of this month,” an engineer at the site told Emirates 24/7.

Officials said the project, which covers all city roads, was prompted by persistent malpractices by road users, including random waste dumping, writing on the tunnel walls, smoking inside the underpass, and harassing women.

“Those involved in such practices will now have second thoughts before doing them again…these cameras are very advanced and offenders will be identified clearly,” the engineer said without elaborating on penalties.

Municipality and traffic police officials said last year more underpasses and bridges would be constructed in the capital as part of a long-term road expansion and improvement plan within the emirate’s Vision 2030.

Police have often urged road users to cross the road through underpasses and warned them against using the wrong crossing as offenders would be fined.

Police data showed more than 100 pedestrians were killed in Abu Dhabi in 2011 after using the wrong crossing.