Surveillance cameras will soon monitor the physical changes of the waters of River Periyar. The Kerala State Pollution Control Board is embarking on a video surveillance programme for the river system in association with Keltron for real time monitoring of the water body. Senior officials from the two agencies will inspect the river system next week to finalise locations for installing the cameras. The project is to install six cameras downstream Pathalam Bund, said K. Sajeevan, chairman of the board. The video data generated through the system will be made visible to the general public through display systems. The display boards will installed before March. The system will help identify physical changes in the river system such as change in water colour and attempts to dump refuse into the water body. As the visible signs of deteriorating water quality can be detected over time, preventive measures for incidents like fish kill too can be initiated on time, he said. The video footage will be closely monitored at the regional station of the board near Eloor. While the monitoring cameras will be connected to the Eloor station through cables, provisions for making the footage available at the headquarters and other regional stations too will be introduced. The surveillance vans of the board will be alerted on receiving information of discoloration or other alerts for taking prompt action, he said. Periyar has been counted as one of the most polluted rivers of the State. There were also complaints of industrial units located on the banks of the river releasing toxic waste. The indiscriminate pollution and toxic waste dumping had often resulted in changes in colour of the water and fish kill. Millions residing in the Greater Cochin area depend on the river system for their drinking water needs.