The Siliguri Metropolitan Police installed around 80 CCTV cameras in various locations under Matigara police station limits in the northwestern suburbs of the city on Friday to intensify vigil on highway stretches in the area.

Akhilesh Chaturvedi, the commissioner of police, said the newly installed digital surveillance system will help them control crime and traffic issues on highways.

“The 80 CCTV cameras which we have installed will help us to address traffic-related issues. The cameras will also be instrumental in curbing anti-social activities and can help in detecting crimes,” he said.

The cameras, police sources said, will cover areas and stretches such as Biswas Colony to Khaprail More, Khaprail Bazar, the Balason Bridge, Khaprail More to Darjeeling More and adjacent places, which are all under Matigara police station.

To monitor the cameras, a control room was set up at the police station. Chaturvedi inaugurated it on Friday.

Senior police officers said the stretch of NH10 from Balason Bridge to Darjeeling More, the main entry point to Siliguri, was vital.

“It sees frequent VIP movements. Also, a number of educational and private healthcare centres and shopping malls have come up off the highway. There are important central and state government offices. The headquarters of Siliguri Metropolitan Police are located in this stretch. That is why CCTV cameras will closely monitor the area,” said an officer.

This apart, the NH10, which links Bagdogra airport, meets NH55, which heads to Darjeeling, at Darjeeling More.