Mumbai Mantrlaya may soon be a fortress

Mumbai: Mumbai's Mantralaya could soon become a modern bastion protected by high-tech security and surveillance paraphernalia, if the government goes ahead with a proposal worth Rs 10 crore to reinforce its premises. Not only will it become a garrison, the access to Mantralaya will also be severely restricted.

However, there are differences in opinions within the government on implementing the proposal, pending for over a year. The safety suggestions have been made and the basic design of the security plan is in place, but certain functionaries have their doubts.

They are in favour of the alternative arrangement of issuing passes at the district headquarters, especially for those who come from far off regions of the state, so that they do not face problems while visiting Mantralaya.

Minister of State for Home Satej Patil said, "The plan may be good for the security of Mantralaya, but it may unnecessarily cause inconvenience to commoners. Citizens, who come with their problems to Mantralaya, would be harassed further with the multiple security checks.

"Therefore, I have suggested that they issue security passes at the district headquarters and transfer the information to the systems in Mantralaya, so that they do not have to stand in long queues outside the building."

But the plan awaits discussion and approvals. Patil said, "The proposal will have to be cleared by the Chief Minister and these points of concerns would be discussed before implementing the Rs10 crore plan."

As of now, X-ray scanners have been installed at all gates and CCTV cameras have been perched at corridors, especially outside the cabins of ministers, although not many ministers are aware of the development.

"A total of around 102 CCTV cameras have been fixed in the corridors of Mantralaya, outside the cabins of ministers and other places," said a security official.

The proposed security plan, which would cost the government around Rs10 crore includes: