Security at Shirdi Saibaba temple is being beefed up at a cost of Rs 5 crore and the new system can detect explosives. Shirdi Sai Sansthan Trust officials said the system can also locate and alert the temple staff to the presence of thieves, pickpockets and even terrorists.
The officials held a meeting with additional chief secretary (home) Chandra Iyengar on Wednesday and the government has decided to hold security drills too. "We have told the local police to conduct security checks,'' she said.
Dr Yashwant Mane, additional chief executive officer of the trust said, "We are installing 150 cameras. The system will also have scanners to detect explosives like TNT, RDX and other explosives if anyone sneaks inside the temple. There will be luggage scanners too''.
According to Mane, there have been at least five to six cases of chain- snatching, bag lifting and similar offences recently that have been reported to the police.
The new system will enable the uploading of pictures of such habitual offenders into the system and whenever they come within the ambit of CCTV cameras, authorities will be alerted, added Mane.
The temple has four main doors. Over 16,820 people can be accommodated in the temple and on the campus. The temple trust has raised the height of the walls in view of the terror threats and has also constructed watch towers. They have made seven emergency exits and installed 16 cellphone jammers.
The temple has a door on the southern side of the Saibaba idol from where devotees stand in the compound and take darshan. Many stand in the compound for prayers. The trust has installed a bullet-proof glass on this door to ward off attacks.
Source : Times Of India