Balangir: The Rajendra College, the oldest college in west Odisha, will be shortly under the vigilance of CCTV cameras.

College authorities said it had taken the decision to install the cameras for the safety of the students and college property.

Till now, 16 cameras have been installed in the administrative block and library. More will be installed at various strategic places by January.

The cameras installed are high definition outdoor night vision IP cameras connected to CCTVs with 32 channels DVR and 4TB hard disk. The system will have enough space to store the backups for days.College student Asit Mohanty said installing cameras on the campus was a good initiative on part of the institute authorities. "These days, college campuses have become the hubs of criminal elements. Our college is no exception. These cameras will help to check the incidents of unrest on the campus and ensure safety of women. Besides, the troublemakers will be immediately spotted," he said.

Book theft from the library has been rampant in the college in the past few years. Library cameras will help to nab the thieves.

Principal Binaya Kumar Jena said a number of steps were taken for the modernisation of the college. "Installation of CCTV cameras is a part of modernisation plan. So far, 16 cameras have been installed in the administrative block and the library.

More cameras will be installed shortly. Moreover, the library will be computerised and LCD projectors have been procured to introduce smart classes in the college," said the principal.