The Mantralaya at Nariman Point might soon be equipped with high-tech underground cameras, which will make it easier to scan the undercarriages of vehicles entering and exiting the premises.

The cameras are installed inside the surface of roads. They are waterproof and sturdy, and are designed to do away with the traditional practice of running handheld mirrors under cars.

According to the Mumbai Police, a survey of the Mantralaya was recently conducted to identify spots at all entry and exit points where the cameras would be installed.

“While the specifics of the move are still being finalised, we have started the process and will soon send a formal proposal to the State Home department for sanction. The proposal will have the number of cameras required to be installed as per our calculations, location for the control room where the camera feed will be monitored, and the time and cost required for the project,” a police officer told The Hindu.

Such cameras were also recommended to five star hotels and big malls in a meeting held between their representatives and the police last week. Once it is sanctioned by the government, officers said, efforts will be made to complete the project at an expedited speed.

The move comes close on the heels of the demolition of the grand staircase at the Mantralaya in May. In a security audit, the Mumbai Police had dubbed the staircase, which was modelled on the one at the Asiatic Library, a security risk. They said terrorists could hide a car bomb under it, and that it could block the view during a counter-terrorist operation.