The Hindu : ECIL asked to prepare fool-proof security system for Secretariat

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

ECIL asked to prepare fool-proof security system for Secretariat

By M. Malleswara Rao

HYDERABAD Dec. 9. The Government has asked the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) to study the present security system in the Secretariat and prepare an electronics-based plan for making it fool-proof as contemplated for quite a long time now, keeping in mind the latest risks and threats.

According to initial estimates made by the Government, the implementation of such a plan to modernise and rationalise the system with the use of eletronic gadgets may cost Rs. 6 crores. A proposal from the official side envisages erection of turn-style gates at the entry points of all the existing eight blocks, including the "C'' block where the Chief Minister's Office is located. The turn-style gates, which will be of the size of metal detectors presently used by the police at every venue, will open up when the employee/visitor inserts the biometric card or pass issued at the main gate into the prescribed slot and only after establishing the genuineness or identity.

In case of a visitor his/her thumb impression/signature will be obtained and fed into the computer at the gate which, by a local area network, will be available at the turn-style gate also. A turn-style gate at one block will not accept a pass issued for visiting another block.

The other sophisticated gadgets contemplated by the Government and placed before the ECIL for being evolved for finalisation include a cattletrap-like mechanism at the main gate, which, lying underground, "sees'' the bottom of every vehicle--be it a two-wheeler or a four-wheeler--and sounds an alarm as and when unwanted materials are found in it, on or under the vehicle.

If a vehicle forces its way inside even when an alarm is sounded another device kept at a distance further inward ejects out a row of spikes from underground for stopping it. The ECIL is expected to present its report to the Government shortly, listing the measures to be initiated.

From the civil side, a blueprint has been prepared by the Secretariat authorities for construction of a mass underground accommodation for parking vehicles at the main gate. It will have a provision for parking 1,000 two-wheelers and 350 cars at a time. The plan envisages not to allow any vehicle inside and to the blocks, much less that of a visitor.

It has been finally decided to demolish the "G'' block which hitherto was considered a heritage building. The authorities have been forced to take this decision in view of the structural weaknesses from which the block suffers today due to its age. A lawn will be developed on the land which will be gained out of the demolition.

Meanwhile, the eastern and western arms of the "H'' block will be tendered shortly for construction. The new "D'' block on which work is on at a brisk pace to make it a state-of-the-art structure with provision for modular furniture and computers is slated for inauguration by the Chief Minister on Sankranti or a few days later.

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