‘Colour-coded pass, drones, Rs 10,000 cash limit for visitors…’: Maharashtra Mantralaya’s new security

“It has been observed that administrative work suffers due to excess visitors. Therefore, the number of visitors and vehicles has been restricted. The Deputy Police Commissioner of Mantralaya security will submit a report within a month detailing the number of visitors allowed per day,” said the government resolution.

Observing that the drone system provided for security under Phase–I of Mantralaya security has been damaged, it has directed that hereupon, there will be a contract for annual maintenance. A modern plaza for visitors will be constructed near Garden gate which will have a pass counter, waiting room, bag lockers, scanners etc.

In August 2023, more than 20 farmers from Vidarbha had taken part in protests, with some of them jumping onto the net, demanding compensation for their land acquired for an irrigation project. The safety net was installed by the state government in 2018 after a number of suicide attempts at the Mantralaya.

In a bid to stop protesters from jumping, the government will install invisible steel ropes at open spaces in corridors and windows. Visitors will not be allowed to enter with more than Rs 10,000 in cash. It mentions that correspondence to the department will now have to be submitted to the centralised system and will not be allowed inside the department concerned.

While directions have been given to provide RFID passes to visitors, till it is being implemented, each floor of Mantralaya will be given a specific color code. The visitor prescribed a gate pass in a specific colour will be barred from going to other floors. The system will be implemented within a month.

Each minister’s office will have to designate an officer on special duty (OSD) to communicate with the security team of the Mantralaya for issuance of entry pass for visitors.

No entry pass in the administrative department will be issued unless approved by the department’s secretary. No oral or telephonic directions will now be accepted.

Entry of vehicles from the main gate has now been restricted only for CMs, Dy Cms, ministers and their convoys. Vehicles of secretaries will be allowed from the Secretary gate while other vehicles with a pass can enter only via the garden gate. The government has also decided to stop entry to the Mantralaya by 5.30 pm and security teams will be directed to start emptying the building by 6.15 pm.