National
New security cover for VVIP zone
By Devesh K. Pandey
NEW DELHI, DEC. 17. A `concrete' security plan for Parliament, Rashtrapati Bhavan and other vital installations in the high-security New Delhi zone is being drafted by Central intelligence agencies to rule out a repeat of the December 13 `fidayeen' attack here.
The draft plan, now under review, is understood to envisage creation of a central command system to scrutinise and coordinate security arrangements at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, North Block and South Block along with other key government installations. The new command system would be connected to various units responsible for the security of vital installations through a computerised network, using sophisticated closed-circuit television and hidden cameras at strategic places.
According to intelligence sources, the team which drafted the plan has even proposed a helipad in the sensitive zone, similar to the one on the White House premises in Washington. The helipad could be used for deploying additional force or evacuating people in an emergency.
For medical back-up, the team has pointed out that medical facilities at the nearby Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital have to be enhanced and arrangements for emergency medical care put in place for about 300 more people. To step up security at Parliament House and reduce chances of intrusion by subversives, the team has proposed a reduction in the strength of the canteen staff.
To check entry to Parliament House and other vital installations, it has recommended provision of identity cards in a graded system. The new identity cards would restrict movement of certain sections of visitors inside the installations as decided by competent authorities.
The team has also suggested sanitisation and regular inspection of the drainage network inside the Parliament House and other sensitive installations. There is fear that the drainage system could be used by subversives to break the security cordon. In addition, the draft offers a provision to hand over security of vulnerable pockets such as the library and certain offices to para-military forces.
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