Report on explosive-resistant buildings sees no progress

The state government,after the 26/11 Mumbai terror strike,had announced that this was a first-of-its-kind initiative.

M V Mirani,who chaired the committee and submitted the report,is hopeful that the report and recommendations are taken into consideration. “We had submitted the report in February last year and followed it up in March. In September we had readied detailed manuals for various areas. However,there has been no discussion yet on the recommendations done for the entire state,”said Mirani.

The government resolution issued was to constitute a committee to study the feasibility of explosive resistant buildings and incorporate surveillance system in public buildings.

Mirani said they had readied manuals for the safety and security of buildings vulnerable to terror attacks. “Guidelines for a physical protection system,reference manual on surveillance system,electrification,fire safety and evaluation and safety and auditing of buildings have been suggested by the committee,” said Mirani.

According to a state government official,there has been no review meeting of the report so far. “The officers have been busy with other issues,so this has been left out,” he said.

The Urban Development Department had issued the directive and based on the recommendations and terms of reference,the government was to issue necessary changes in the development control rules of the security aspects of these buildings.

The other members of the eight-member committee: Southern Command,Pune,Anti-Terrorism Squad chief,deputy secretary of the UDD department,Bombay Municipal Corporation chief engineer,chief fire officer,an expert on blast resistant buildings and deputy director town planning.

The committee prescribed design parameters for explosive resistant buildings,surveillance systems,illumination of buildings and police chowkeys in all public buildings.