“There will be a network of computers which will be connected. One would merely have to log into the system and find information about persons concerned. At present, if we need information about a criminal — say in Mumbai — it is a long process and this will be a big help,” he said. West Bengal will have 43 such computers with one in Kolkata.

Chakraborty said they were plans to increase the number of computers in Kolkata to make it more effective.

The chief secretary said he hoped at least 50 per cent of the computers would be up and working by May this year. The cost of the project will be shared equally between the state and the Centre, with the latter providing the cost for the hardware and the training of the staff while the former would pay for the maintenance of the computers as well as the running costs.