The Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee has decided to expedite installation of state-of-the-art security equipment at the world heritage Mahabodhi Mahavihara.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the temple body convened on Wednesday by Gaya district magistrate Balamurugan D. At the meeting, the district magistrate, who is also the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC) chairman, directed for putting up checkpoints near the BTMC office for entry of devotees and tourists. In view of the rush of devotees and tourists, baggage scanner, night vision closed circuit television camera (CCTV) will be installed soon. He also directed for continuous monitoring of CCTV footage.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Nishant Kumar Tiwari said around 500 police personnel will be deputed for the security of Mahavihara, the Vishnupad temple in Gaya and other important temples in Gaya and Bodhgaya. Even four months after the blasts, several security measures are still in the pipeline.

After the serial blasts, a decision was taken to install baggage scanner, 16 CCTV cameras in addition to the existing 16, construct a watchtower, raise the boundary wall and undertake other security measures.

Of the existing 16 CCTV cameras, 10 are installed on the Mahavihara premises, two on a red pedestal, three in the BTMC library and one outside the BTMC office. A committee led by Gaya city superintendent of police (SP) Chandan Kushwaha has been constituted to ensure security arrangements, including installation of latest security equipment.

The security measures followed so far include ban on entry of cellphone, laptop and cameras inside. The cloakroom has been shifted from the Mahavihara to near the BTMC office. Visitors have to keep their footwear, cellphone and bags there. But CCTV footage is not being monitored regularly.

City SP Chandan Kushwaha said work on raising the boundary wall around Mahavihara was on, after whichwatchtowers would be built on the premises.