-  Sanyukta Iyer

Now Alert; Pune Secure:

Pune is trying really hard to cope with security threats. Bomb scares and Mock drills have now turned the security system of this growing city to its feet. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, are we finally safe? Will we ever be? Will anyone ever be?

Pune seems to have slapped Mumbai right where it hurts with its new attitude of action and security. After the Taj Hotel blasts, the train blasts and all the other serial blasts in Mumbai, the city yet again seems to sleep over its security threats. But Pune seems to have grown a new leaf. Below are the areas where a remarkable change has been witnessed. The only hope that Pune city dwellers now aim for is for this ‘safe zone’ period to last and last really long.

Lohegaon Airport: A National Security Guard (NSG) team will take stock of the security at the Lohegaon based Pune Domestic and International Airport.

This body will make a complete assessment of the threat discernment to the airport following the terror blast in the city and review the entire security set-up. It will also adhere to any changes if required.

“The team is expected anytime by this month end. And it will make a complete record of the airport. We will surely put forth our suggestions to enhance the security,” stated Deepak Shastri, Airport Director.

He also quoted that Pune Airport is considered ‘one of the most sensitive airports in the country’ since it functions from the Indian Air Force (IAF) base.

Railway Stations: While the Government Railway Police (GRP) and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are maintaining a strict vigil at the Pune and Shivajinagar railway stations, besides the Lohegaon airport, policemen, including those in civil clothes, are being deployed at bus depots near Pune station, Shivajinagar and Swargate.

Colleges: Identity Cards have been made mandatory. Students without ID; s are being sent back. This ensures campus safety. Parking provided by colleges is now being monitored. Several housing societies have now installed cameras outside their buildings to maintain a security check.

Malls: Checking of bags and people has been doubled since the blasts and threats.

A senior police official at the commissionerate stated, “Police patrolling has also intensified at major installations, including the defence laboratories in the city. Shopping mall owners and managements of multiplexes have also been asked to maintain a close tab on the vehicles being parked onto their premises.”

The Police: “The Police conducted mock drills all over the city. The exercise created panic among citizens,” stated a DNA Correspondent.
Three weeks after the German Bakery blast, the city police conducted mock drills across the city. This created fear amongst the citizens, but the police conducted the drills to prevent and reduce the damage to life and properties in the event of any further blast incidents.
The police have till now conducted the drills at Sambhaji Park on Jungli Maharaj Road, The State Transport Bus Stand at Pune railway station and Vallabhnagar Stand in Pimpri. The latest mock Drill was at Gold Adlabs Multiplex in Kalyaninagar.
Around 4.15 pm, a team of police arrived at Gold Big Cinema and ordered the theatre management to vacate the premises immediately. Around 500 people were watching movies. Screenings were stopped and the police conducted the mock drill.
Senior police officers took command of the exercise and were instructing their officers on how to deal the situation and tackle chaos. The police also vacated Sambhaji Maharaj Road, Vallabhnagar stand and Pune station ST stand in the similar fashion. Policemen were deployed at the ST stand and several ambulances were rushed to the spot.

Feedback is Healthy. To be secure we need to start working at an individual level and grow. And that is exactly what the Pune Police is aiming at.