BMC says proposed Rs 1-cr project at Bhandup was coming in the way of expansion of water supply schemes
BMC says proposed Rs 1-cr project at Bhandup was coming in the way of expansion of water supply schemes
The state-of-the-art firing range, which was supposed to come up at Bhandup Water Complex to train BMC guards for a 26/11 like eventuality, has been finally scrapped, fearing the project could come in the way of extension of water supply projects.
The plot allotted for the firing range at Bhandup water complex will be used for setting up new water treatment plants to supply round- the-clock water to the city
The civic body has scrapped the Rs 1-crore project, which was proposed after 26/11 that proved the BMC guards were ill-equipped to fight a terror attack, as its "primary concern is to ensure round-the-clock water supply".
Now, the plot allotted for the firing range where the guards would be trained for rifle shooting and other arms will be used for setting up new water treatment plants to meet the requirements of ever-swelling population of the maximum city.
An official from the BMC's security department said, "The project got cancelled because of new treatment plants coming up there. Around 40 per cent area of the plot given to the training centre was finalised for the firing range."
At present, the BMC security guards are trained in rifle shooting at the Indian Military grounds in Pokhran, Thane. They are given training for 0.22 gun and revolver at Maharashtra Rifle Association's ground in Worli, said the official.
Earlier, the BMC had given arms training to its guards after the 1993 serial bomb blasts, but the group was disbanded in 2006.
The then BMC commissioner Jairaj Phatak admitted that the need for armed guards was not felt until the 26/11 attacks happened.
The civic body has around 3,800 security personnel manning important places under its jurisdiction such as its iconic headquarters, ward offices and reservoirs.
A BMC official assured that a group of 100 guards will be selected for special training in arms and security techniques.
"Representatives from the police and army training colleges will be roped in for mentoring the guards," he added.
Bunkers at BMC HQ
The civic body was also supposed to put up bulletproof bunkers at its iconic headquarters. Kulkarni said, "The tendering is done and the bunkers would be set up in a few days."
Each bunker, which would be better than the sand bags put up outside the headquarters, would cost anything between Rs 3 and 4 lakh.
The Other Side
Asked why the firing-range project was scrapped, BMC's Chief Security Officer S D Kulkarni said, "The major concern for the civic body is to ensure uninterrupted water supply to the city. Though the proposed firing-range has been scrapped, we have other alternate places where the training is provided to the guards. We have adequate number of weapons and trained guards right now. We organise training for the guards every six months."
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