Incidentally, SSNNL Chief Engineer K J Trivedi has said that there are no loopholes in the security. “The security is alert and all the DFM’s are functioning,” he has said.

Meanwhile, an SSNNL official said on condition of anonymity: “Though we have hand-held metal detectors, at times it becomes difficult to manage huge crowds at the dam.”

Citing the recent Diwali festival, police officers also said: “It became difficult for us to manage a huge chunk of visitors during the Diwali festival when all the guest houses at SSNNL were packed with visitors from the neighbouring districts. Besides, the door frame metal detectors are expensive and the only way to make it functional is to replace the entire circuit.”

Narmada Superintendent of Police Khurshid Ahmed said: “We have hand-held metal detectors on a temporary basis. While, permission has been given to install CCTVs, SSNNL is yet to make the purchases.”

The executive committee comprising the sub-divisional magistrate, Narmada superintendent of police and SSNNL chief engineer was formed around three months ago, and various plans about installing Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) were floated.