‘Hospitality sector’s security needs upgradation’

The security experts have sought an upgradation of security measures in the elite hotel industry on par with other international ‘check-in’ venues.

“Like airports, where a tourist has to undergo checks through X-ray scanners and other surveillance methods, the hotel industry needs to implement all these hi-tech techniques to avoid future attacks,” says Retired Brigadier Virendra Kumar.

The terror attacks in two luxury hotels – The Taj and the Trident (formerly the Oberoi) apart from other places like bus stations and hospitals left over 100 dead and more than 300 injured.

Kumar, who had served as a security expert with the Indian Army described the attacks as extremely shocking and bold and said it called for a shake up of the entire intelligence setup.

“In hotels, nobody cares about the visitors. A proper security system should be implemented as such these places are frequently visited by foreign tourists.”

The hotel fraternity also was caught unawares and said they would be more careful from now on and tighten security.

“We have set up fool-proof security. CCTVs, trained security personnel, armed guards and Delhi police officials but after this attack, we are taking it as a cautionary warning,” says Ritu Bararia, Corporate Head, The Park hotel.

Anjali Chatterjee, GM Marketing, The Lalit (previously Intercontinental- The Grand) says, “We are doing what we can. Every industry has some limitations and being in the hospitality sector, its a bit difficult to take extreme measures sometimes. We need to monitor our security constantly.”

Attributing the attack as a total lack of failure on the part of intelligence, Major General Surat Sandhu (Retd), says, “The government should form a anti-terrorist squad by army to keep vigil of all the sensitive zones of the country.

All five-star hotels, airports and other ‘happening’ areas should come under this and optimise the use of army as a resource.”