The Siliguri Metropolitan Police on Wednesday launched an aerial surveillance system to keep a tab across Siliguri sub-division and in adjoining areas of the neighbouring Jalpaiguri district.

Gaurav Sharma, the commissioner of police, launched the facility on the tenth raising day of Siliguri police commissionerate.

“We have introduced a sophisticated drone today (Wednesday) and in due course, more such drones will be engaged. Also, our men will be trained to run the drones so that they can aerially monitor the commissionerate area,” said Sharma at a programme held in the town.

Siliguri, known as the gateway to the northeast, is the largest urban hub of north Bengal and is located close to the international borders which the country shares with Bangladesh and Nepal.

Also, China and Bhutan borders are located within 200 kilometres from the Siliguri, known as “chicken’s neck”, the most vulnerable part of the Indian sub-continent where the width of the country is slimmest, with Bangladesh and Nepal located in south and north, respectively.

“This facility can help us in handling law and order issues, traffic related crimes and traffic movement as a whole. Also, we can keep a better watch during major festivals and public functions,” said Sharma.

The monitoring can facilitate more prompt services to people and can also help the police to check whether people are adhering to the Covid-19 restrictions,” added Sharma.

The drones, which also have facilities to record videos, would also assist the police in keeping records of criminal activities, said sources.