Surveillance and security    

Gully number one to four falls under the SRA scheme. As one goes from the main road  towards the mangroves, more corners and small pockets are created. The families living in this area have both the man and woman working in hospitality and services in the neighbouring locality. They have electric and water supply in all the houses. “Idhar 6-7 saal pehele bohot chori hoti thi, isiliye bade sahab ne camera lagva diye.” ( After the increase in theft, 6-7 years ago Bade Sahab installed the cameras.) Bade Sahab is a koli landowner who lives nearby.  As the settlement grew and formed quieter pockets, crime and abuse also began to fester in these spaces which led to the rent of the gully being lowered as rumors began to float amongst the residents about the conditions of the gully changing at night. A majority of cameras were installed by ‘the owner’ to cease the rumours that were spreading and to balance the rent. 

The front of the gullies have ‘pakka houses’ and are more economically stable. “Yeh saamne jo rehate hai na unhone apne ghar ke bahar bhi camera lagvaya hai. Kabhi bhi kuch behes hoti hai toh hume keh dete hai ki koi bhi shikayat ho toh, police ko jaake keh do.” ( The one staying next door has also installed a camera. Whenever there’s some dispute she asks me to go and complain to the police.) Cameras in some cases were also installed by economically stronger families in a gully to establish their authority.