From fake CCTV to AI face scans: Delhi homes turn into high-tech fortresses as security costs soar

The idea of home security in Delhi has transformed dramatically.

Where once a strong lock on the front door felt adequate, residents today are investing in layers of digital defence: from infrared barriers to face-recognition cameras that feed directly to their phones.

At the other end of the spectrum, low-cost devices like dummy cameras with blinking lights are being marketed as affordable deterrents.

Technology becomes a household essential
For Karol Bagh businessman Murli Mani, adopting high-tech protection was less about luxury and more about necessity.

"I had to put in a system that not only sounds a loud ringing when someone tries to break the door but also sends a picture of whoever rings the doorbell straight to my phone," he said. "Through the app I use, I can decide whether to open the door remotely or use a controller at home."

Neighbourhoods too are adapting. In Navjiwan Vihar, south Delhi, the local RWA has turned to digital tracking to ensure vigilance.

"When we first installed floodlights, people broke them with stones. We had to place special guards to prevent that," said secretary Ruby Makhija. "We have put QR codes at certain spots that the guards are required to scan to let us know they are patrolling the area from time to time."

Atul Goyal of United Residents Joint Action (URJA), which works with more than 2,500 RWAs across the city, said companies are aggressively pushing top-end products. "We are seeing systems with alarms directly connected with the local police station," he noted.

"But the reality is that not every family can bear these costs. That's why in many parts of the city, RWAs and centralised apartment-level monitoring still remain the backbone of security."

Expensive ecosystems, budget alternatives
Security companies now offer detailed, step-by-step packages—from surveying homes and drawing up blueprints to providing maintenance checks and 24/7 support. Some claim to be importing Israeli technology for faster alerts and response.

Meanwhile, independent-house areas like Vasant Kunj and Green Park have embraced custom solutions.

"People assume elderly residents might struggle with new technology, but companies explain the systems very well," said 59-year-old Vasant Kunj resident Amit Agarwal. "In fact, many families are repurposing baby cameras, originally meant to monitor infants, as full-fledged surveillance devices inside the home."

Green Park resident Lalit Kumar, 68, said the latest draw is AI-based recognition. "It's not just about watching footage anymore. Systems now recognise unfamiliar faces and sound an alert. In many buildings, floor-by-floor entry control through electronic door systems has become common," he explained.

In some west Delhi homes, residents have gone a step further—running small “control rooms” where live feeds from multiple cameras are monitored on dedicated screens, often by household staff.

The price of safety
What all this adds up to is a significant rise in routine household expenditure.

"Earlier, people spent around Rs 1,800 on good locks. Today, you can easily spend 10 times that amount just on upgraded locking or alarm systems. Security has become a major household expense," said Sangeeta Thukral, member of the CR Park RWA.

At the same time, demand for cheaper fixes has created a parallel market. Dummy cameras with blinking lights sell for just a couple of hundred rupees, while low-cost alarms and infrared sensors promise at least the appearance of safety.

Whether families opt for Israeli-engineered monitoring systems or Rs 200 fakes, the message is clear: in today’s Delhi, peace of mind carries a price tag—and it’s only getting heavier.

(With inputs from ToI)