Police plans new safety measures to fortify Mantralaya

Mumbai: Security arrangements at Mantralaya are being revved up with the Mumbai police preparing a new security plan, which will include practices used to protect ‘big corporate offices’. According to the police plan, there will be restricted entry of visitors, CCTV cameras will be installed on all corridors and floors, while the control room will monitor any suspicious movement by visitors.

The various recommendations by the police will be implemented after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis approves of them. State home minister, Dr Ranjeet Patil told The Asian Age, “We will implement safety plans as per recommendations of police and CM Fadnavis will take a decision very soon. But the entry of general public will remain as usual and no hurdles will be created for them to enter Mantralaya”, he said.

However, entry into Mantralaya will become more difficult now for visitors. They will now have to display their entry passes and return them on their way out. Also there will be no entry without proof of identification. In the last few years, there have been many instances of attempted suicide inside Mantralaya, including the one involving Tuljapur farmer, Dyaneshwar Salve on Friday. These incidents have brought out the existing gaps in the security system, which are a matter of concern now for the home department and the police.

Senior police officers have already submitted a report with their recommendations. The possibility of a terror attack will also be taken into account and measures to make the compound wall safe will be undertaken. The height of the wall will be increased and designing undergo a change. Inside the premises, CCTV cameras will be placed on all corridors of all floors, balconies and an iron grill will be placed in the open area.