Sambalpur, May 31: Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras will shortly be installed at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Vimsar) in Burla to beef up security on the campus of the premier health facility.

Vimsar principal B.K. Dutta said the state government had agreed to provide Rs 4 crore for installation of surveillance cameras in the institution and also to make Vimsar a Wi-Fi campus.

"From preliminary assessment, it has been found that at least 150 high-power CCTV cameras will have to be installed for complete surveillance on campus. However, the exact number of the equipment required can only be ascertained after a thorough survey," said Dutta.

He said the survey regarding installation of CCTV cameras and Wi-Fi service would be completed within a fortnight.

In 2013, a team of senior district administration officials had visited the hospital for installation of the CCTV cameras. The team had identified 22 places. Subsequently, Vimsar had installed CCTV cameras at some strategic and sensitive locations on its campus. But, sources said the equipment were not modern enough to record clear footage in low-light conditions.

The places where CCTV cameras have already been installed include the hospital's entrance, casualty ward, the office of the hospital superintendent, gynaecology and obstetrics ward, enquiry kiosk and special newborn care unit.

Vimsar had installed CCTV cameras at those places from its own funds.

People of west Odisha who depend on the hospital for health service have welcomed the move to install high-power surveillance cameras.

"The institute has been in news for all the wrong reasons, such as doctors' negligence, thefts and feud among the staff and the patient parties. The CCTV cameras will ensure that culprits are brought to book in case of any misdoing," said Burla resident Ashis Panda.