Delays create gaps in security plan

It was only on Wednesday afternoon that the OC released data for 80,000 accredited OC staff and other personnel and 3,150 vehicles for access to venues along with details of the 20,000 policemen to be deployed. Another large batch of data of accredited persons is still awaited.

Home Ministry officials explained that it had earlier been decided that police verification of all outstation applicants for accreditation would be done by the Intelligence Bureau which has proved to be a time-consuming and only partly-accomplished task. With time running out,fall-back plans were being quickly devised.

“Only 80 per cent of the police verifications has been completed,but we are still insisting on them. We have only given concessions to outstation performers,including schoolchildren,who in any case,have been given RFIDs (radio frequency identification wristbands),” said a key security official.

The government has envisaged a four-tier integrated technology system for the CWG,with persons holding RFIDs and those with tickets and passes being checked at all entry and exit points of the venues. Plus,footage from CCTVs installed in the venues and perimeters will be accessed from a single control room. However,with just two days left for the gala opening,the system has not yet been tested as an integrated circuit.

While the Electronics Corporation of India Limited took care of all security-related hardware purchases,Telecommunications Consultants India Ltd was contracted for network cabling and connectivity and Tata Consultancy Services tasked with software development. In fact,it was the delayed cabling work being done by TCIL that resulted in some of the roof tiles falling off at the weightlifting stadium a few days ago.

“The top brass of these agencies keep shifting deadlines. But they still claim the work will be completed. This is the reason critical testing has been delayed and done only on parts of the systems. However,almost full coverage from the CCTVs at all venues is being received at the control room,” said a Home Ministry official.

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