POST-26/11 CONCERN
Panel lays down steps to secure 430 vulnerable bldgs …….Sharad Vyas I TNN
With the image of the siege at Nariman House during the 26/11 terror strike still fresh, a committee appointed by the state government has recommended that vulnerable residential structures in the city must have proper access control from roof downwards.
The 10-member panel has also recommended that electronic surveillance should be provided all the way down to the ground floor keeping in mind the possibility of another commando action or an air strike by terrorists.
TOI was first to report the committee findings last month.
The panelappointed to create security control rules for the 430 most vulnerable buildings in the cityhas directed state to implement the new rules within six months to ensure that vital installations are prepared for any eventuality.
The report, which was presented to the urban development department on February 20, was made public on Thursday. The rules will make it mandatory for buildings to undertake a number of fortification measures. These include digital mapping of building plans, construction of concrete walls around the structures perimeter, automated spikes along the approach road, coating of basement columns with steel, pitched roofs to deflect explosives hurled at the buildings and having convex structures instead of concave.
The plan calls for removal of dense vegetation and signages as well as basement parking. After studying several buildings, the committee suggested that the Development Control Rules, 1991, be altered, and the Mumbai police carry out an immediate review of all the 430 buildings from a security point of view.