‘Dagdusheth Trust to install 11 more CCTVs’

Godse said it was shocking that despite of heavy police presence and security arrangements in the area around the temple, a blast took place right in front of police stations. “Police have been conducting drills at regular intervals in the temple area. Police also conducted a drill just three weeks before the blast took place. We have security arrangements within the temple. And our security men were able to spot the decoy planted by police during drills.”

“At any given time there is police presence around the temple. Still, the blast took place. Fortunately no major damage took place. Ganpati bappa saved us this time. But now we are worried. My heart starts beating fast even if I hear a sound of cracker,” said Godse.

The office-bearers pointed out that a few years ago, the Trust had donated Rs 10 lakh for installing CCTVs. “As many as 14 CCTV cameras equipped with wireless technology were then installed at strategic spots. But none of the cameras functioned for more than a week as there were problems in paying Internet bills. Even on the day of the blast, there were CCTVs around the spot, but were not functioning,” they said.

“We cannot wait for the police. Even if the cops or government agencies install CCTV cameras, there is no guarantee it would function. They have problems in payment of bills for internet required for CCTV cameras. So we will install our CCTV cameras and control their operations properly,” they said.

Godse said recently they had recently met Pune police commissioner Satish Mathur, who has given some suggestions for an upgrade of the security arrangements at the temple, such as setting up alarm system for alerting people in case of emergency.

“We work on every suggestion given by any police agencies on security arrangements of temple in the view of terror alerts. Over two crore devotees visit the temple during Ganesh festival. We have erected a security wall around the temple. We will  install 80 more CCTV cameras specially during the 10 days of the festival. Despite blast, preparations are in full swing,” said Suryawanshi.

According to the Pune police, a project costing Rs 225 crore for installation of about 1200 CCTV cameras at 440 spots identified as sensitive, is making slow progress. Meanwhile, sources said a private organisation had gifted scanners for checking suspicious objects to the temple as well as the Faraskhana police stations. While the temple security is using it, the police have failed to utilise the scanners for security purposes.

It may be recalled that Indian Mujahideen operative Qateel Siddiui, who was murdered in Yerwada jail, had allegedly tried to bomb the Dagdusheth temple on Feburary 13, 2010, the day when German Bakery blast took place.