Following the terror attacks on soft targets, security of Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), the second central business district of Mumbai, has come to the fore.
With almost 50 different organisations — both in public and private sector — and over lakh employees, BKC can become a soft target for terrorists. Unfortunately, none of the huge buildings in the 370-hector area has a fool-proof security system. Barring the American School of Bombay and the construction site of American Consulate, almost all the buildings are vulnerable to an attack.
According to an official of MMRDA who requested anonymity, most of the buildings do not even have a basic security alert system in place. “There are no armed security guards, no metal detectors and no disaster control systems. The state government has many key offices here such as the state treasury department, sales tax, MMRDA, RBI, sub registrar office and MTNL. There are offices of the SEBI, NSE, head quarter of ICICI Bank, city bank, State Bank of India, IL&FS etc. The American Consulate building is under construction, while the British Consulate office is already here.
Moreover, construction of buildings of corporate houses of Mittal and Reliance groups which are nearing completion. With absence of a full proof security system, all of these are very vulnerable,” said the official.
Rolfy Pereira, senior inspector of BKC police station, however, said that in the wake of the terror attacks last week, police have done their bit to enhance security here. “We have increased security at most of the key places. Moreover, we have alerted all the private security agencies guarding buildings across BKC to be more vigilant. Our patrolling vehicles are also on alert 24 hours,” said Pereira.
But are there enough personnel deputed at BKC? A senior police official said that Mumbai police is already under immense pressure. “How can we say that we have enough staff? There is no point in complaining,” he said.
Despite several attempts, no information was provided about enhancement of security at most of the places in BKC.
s_ninad@dnaindia.net
