Sambalpur, April 25: Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will shortly be installed in and around the Veer Surendra Sai (VSS) Stadium to strengthen security.

Sambalpur District Athletic Association's general secretary Dulal Chandra Pradhan said: It will help us monitor the activities of the audience inside the stadium during matches as well as check unruly activities. It will also help us monitor the entry and exit of vehicles."

Pradhan said 16 CCTV cameras would be installed on the stadium premises. "The surveillance cameras will be procured from the district athletic association's funds," said Pradhan.

"The Sambalpur Municipal Corporation will also install high-mast lights at the stadium. Residents, who regularly visit the stadium for evening walks, would find it to be a convenient arrangement," Pradhan said.

"The pavilion building of the stadium will also be renovated, and the height of the boundary wall of the stadium will be raised," said Pradhan.

"The CCTV cameras will help us check rising theft cases inside the stadium. On several occasions, people, who visit the facility to watch matches, complain about bike thefts. The installation of the surveillance cameras will help us check such untoward incidents," Pradhan said.

The stadium had hosted several Ranji and Deodhar Trophy matches. It consists of six galleries and a capacity to accommodate around 20,000 people.

"The installation of surveillance cameras at the stadium is essential. Apart from checking thefts, it will also check intrusion of trouble-makers into the stadium," said Chandan Sahu, a sports enthusiast.

"Several international players such as Virender Sehwag, Ashish Nehra and Gautam Gambhir had played here. I am happy that the concerned authority has initiated steps for development works," said local resident Rajesh Mohanty.