No parking near 470 sites

Monday, Sep 20, 2010



Hours after the attack on two foreign tourists outside the historic Jama Masjid, Delhi Police came out with a list of 470 sites where security has been upgraded and restrictions imposed.

All such sites will have no parking within 100 metres. Also bikers with pillion riders will not be allowed anywhere near them. The decisions were taken as part of special security measures being implemented on the directions of the lieutenant-governor of Delhi.

Reacting to the incident at Jama Masjid which has led to a scare in the city, the lieutenant-governor, Tejendra Khanna, held an emergency meeting with the police commissioner, YS Dadwal, and senior officials of the agencies concerned to take stock of the situation on Sunday.

The meeting discussed the law and order situation and saw the LG issue directions to the CP to introduce special security measures with immediate effect. A senior official pointed out that there are 470 sites which have been identified as sensitive or high-risk in the city.

Thus the first step towards taking special measures to enhance security would be to put these points under strict vigil.

Delhi Police said they have also asked the officials at these places to install CCTVs since they are high on the list of possible targets for a terror attack.

"The security on premises have to be beefed up and we have asked them to deploy armed guards wherever required. We have also intensified patrolling and deployment at vital installations," added a police officer.

On the allegations made by the Shahi Imam and others at Jama Masjid that the requisite security measures were not in place despite reminders to the police, senior officials refused to comment. However, the LG's office said that letters had been written time and again to religious institutions like Jama Masjid, Akshardham temple and others asking them to make security arrangements like CCTV cameras.

Some of the heritage sites where these curbs will now apply are Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid, Purana Qila, Humanyun's Tomb, India Gate, Jantar Mantar, Red Fort, Safdarjung Tomb, Delhi Gate, Kashmere Gate, Turkman Gate, Fatehpuri Masjid and Tughlaqabad Fort.

Among vital installations and iconic buildings are Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Kalakji Temple, Jhandewalan Temple, Indian Oil building, Birla Temple, Reserve Bank of India, PTI building, Police headquarters, Shastri Bhavan, Delhi University, Pallika Sadan Kendra, Palika Bazar, NDMC building, Connaught Place and Safdarjung Airport.

These restrictions are going to cause a lot of inconvenience for people in the city and could also lead to police high-handedness. Two-wheeler drivers have always been the favourite whipping boys of the cops only at the check-posts.

Original news source http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/No-parking-near-470-sites/articleshow/6589068.cms#ixzz1045Gphwq