Indian Express

Mamata orders security beef-up at VIP car park near Writers’

Express news service Posted online: Tue Dec 11 2012, 04:48 hrs
Kolkata : The VIP parking zone in front of Writers’ Buildings will be brought under electronic surveillance to step up security in the area according to the orders of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Apart from the underground car parking zone, the adjacent pavements will also be brought under the electronic surveillance system, a senior PWD official said.

Police officers feel that movement of people around the parking zone needs to be closely monitored. It has been decided that 48 close circuit cameras will be installed in the parking zone and surrounding pavements. Based on a police report, the chief minister ordered introduction of electronic surveillance in the area.

“The security of the parking is overseen by a private agency engaged by the state civil defence department,” the official said. About 400 cars of ministers and senior government officials are kept in the underground parking zone.

“We have to spend around Rs 48 lakh for the project,” the official said. “A control room will be set up at Writers’ Buildings from where the cameras will be monitored.” Tenders for purchase of CCTV cameras have been floated and the zone is expected to come under electronic surveillance next month, officials said.