Though a final picture is yet to emerge on the exact nature of security cover to be provided, the city police are gearing up to provide security to Namma Metro installations on Reach 1, which is going to become operational from October 20.
While security inside metro stations has been outsourced to a private agency by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL), the police have to guard the metro installations and provide security outside, besides maintaining law and order.
Reach 1 has six stations and one depot at Byappanahalli, which require protection from external threats, Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), T. Suneel Kumar told The Hindu . Handling and maintaining body scanners, luggage scanners and so on within the station premises would be the private agency's responsibility. These personnel will be trained and monitored by the city police, he said.
Additional security
Some 300 armed police personnel are required for round-the-clock security for metro installations on Reach 1. However, these numbers may vary just before the commercial launch of services. The Byappanahalli Station and Depot and M.G. Road Station, because of their expanse, would be provided additional security. Besides these personnel, patrol vehicles would make additional visits to these installations during nights, Mr. Suneel Kumar said.
However, another senior police official noted with concern that BMRCL is yet to intimate the police the exact nature of security requirement and personnel for Reach 1. “This has become a severe hindrance for the police to properly plan security arrangements. Bangalore has already been the target of terrorist attacks thrice earlier and metro installations would be another easy target.”
Separate force
Principal Secretary (Home) S.M. Jamdar told The Hindu security cover by the city police is only a temporary arrangement. “We have already started the process of raising the Karnataka State Industrial Security Force (KSISF). Once it is fully in place, it will be deployed at metro installations.”
BMRCL will have to foot the KSISF's bill. Various government companies and corporations have already been bearing the expenditure of security being offered by the State police. The Government might ask BMRCL to pay for security arrangements being provided at present too, Mr. Jamdar added.
