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Why facial recognition system has been installed in Mumbai’s Mantralaya

Anyone who enters the Mantralaya, whether she works there or not, must get their face scanned. Here’s why.

The security arrangements at Mantralaya have been beefed up in recent days.

The security arrangements at the Mantralaya have been beefed up in recent days. (Express photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Wednesday (February 5) criticised the introduction of a facial recognition system (FRS) at Mantralaya or the state government administrative headquarters in Mumbai.

He said in a post on X, “This is actually an attempt by the government to keep the people away from the rulers and prevent the common people from the democratic process, so that builders and big industrialists can be given land and property in the state. Builders’ vehicles are entering the ministry without any hindrance, but the common people are being obstructed.”

The first day after a new FRS was installed at the Mantralaya on Monday was marred with long queues and confusion. The system was allegedly launched in a hurry without proper trial runs. Moreover, many employees’ data were not yet fed into the system, meaning several officials were denied entry. However, the security staff initially did not let anyone enter without the FRS authentication, causing chaos at the entrances.

Here’s all you need to know about the system and why it has been introduced.

How does the system work?

Any officer, employee, or public representative working at the Mantralaya must register for the FRS. Thus far, the IT department has received the necessary details from 10,500 officers and individuals, which have been fed into the system.

All entrances into the Mantralaya have the FRS installed, and individuals will be allowed entry based on their security clearance.

For visitors, there is the option to authenticate their credentials and secure an entry by logging into the DG Pravesh App. Visitors can also apply for a temporary pass at a counter at the entrance, for which their photo and identity card details will be taken. They will be issued a specific RFID card which will only allow them to access the specific floors in which they have an appointment.

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For journalists, face recognition has been made mandatory. Despite government-approved state accreditation and special passes from the Home Department (for those without accreditation), journalists who regularly cover the Mantralaya and Maharashtra state administration will have to get themselves registered.

Why was this system introduced?

According to the government, the FRS was pressed into service at the Mantralaya to curb unauthorised entry, enhance security, and also reduce crowding, which should accelerate the functioning of the Mantralaya.

In the past, the Mantralaya has witnessed many agitations, from farmers and other groups upset with the state. A net was installed inside the building after some farmers threatened to jump from the higher floors as a means of protest. The FRS is a further step in improving the secretariat’s internal security.

The system will not only restrict access but also enable security personnel to constantly monitor visitors’ movement. Previously, visitors could access multiple floors, and freely access areas across the Mantralaya premises.