Security persons check the identity cards of visitors at the new secretariat gate in Patna. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, July 7: Next time you plan a visit to Vikas Bhavan, ensure you are carrying your identity card. The policemen guarding the new secretariat are not allowing strangers to walk into the premises.

Security at Vikash Bhavan, which houses some key department offices, including state human resource development (HRD), health, labour, art & culture and youths affairs, has been strengthened.

The security guards at the entrance gate said they would not allow anyone to enter the premises unless the person produces a valid photo identity proof such as voter ID card, PAN card, driving licence, passport and any other identity card provided by a government office.

The other gate of Vikas Bhavan has been opened making separate gates for entrance and exit.

A security man at the main gate said: “Security has been strengthened after we received an order from the home department to upgrade the protection at the entrance gates.”

The security personnel added that as the new secretariat houses around 60 offices of various departments and many ministers and secretary-level officers have their offices here, safety precautions in the area are very important.

Vijay Kumar, a deputy superintendent of police, who is also holding the post of secretariat security, said: “Earlier at Vikash Bhavan only one gate was opened, which often created problems for the security guards. They found it difficult to manage the movement of traffic as both ministers and common persons used to enter the secretariat through the same gate. This marred the security system.”

Kumar said: “We wrote a letter to the home department requesting for opening the other gate, which was approved by home secretary Amir Subhani. Now, there will be separate gates for the entry and exit with adequate security arrangements. This will bring down the pressure of the guards.”

Moreover, for visitors coming to Vikash Bhavan, passes would be issued at the counters outside the premises.

Kumar said: “Issuing passes to visitors is not a new thing. However, the mechanism will be strengthened as there will be no passes for visitors not carrying the necessary identity proofs like voters I-card, Pan card etc.”

Dearth of security personnel to guard Vikas Bhavan is also a cause of concern for the officers.

According to the home department, the sanctioned posts of officers for guarding Vikas Bhavan is 65 but the present strength of officers is only 18. While the sanctioned number of posts for havaldars is 77, there are only 12 deployed at present. Similarly, there are only 100 constables against the sanctioned posts of 300.

To add to the problems, these security personnel are deployed at all the three government offices — old secretariat, new secretariat, and Vishvara Bhavan — which house key government departments.

Kumar said: “We cannot make passes mandatory for persons coming to Vishwara Bhavan for getting their railway tickets or for depositing money. However, we may go for strict checking of persons coming down to Vishwara Bhawan.”